"Diana Wynne Jones - Castle In The Air" - читать интересную книгу автора (Jones Diana Wynne)

"Because," said Hakim, "the prophecy made at your birth has come to
light in a box long thought to contain incense. If you care to present
yourself at the emporium in proper apparel, this box will be handed over
to you."

Abdullah had not the slightest interest in this prophecy. Nor did he see
why he had to go himself to collect it when Hakim could just as easily
have brought it with him. He was about to refuse when it occurred to him
that if he succeeded in uttering the correct word in his sleep tonight
(which he was confident he would, having done it twice before), then he
and Flower-in-the-Night would in all probability be eloping together. A
man should go to his wedding correctly clothed and washed and shaved. So
since he would be going to baths and barber anyway, he might as well
drop in and collect the silly prophecy on his way back.

"Very well," he said. "You may expect me two hours before sunset."

Hakim frowned. "Why so late?"

"Because I have things to do, cousin by marriage," Abdullah explained.
The thought of his coming elopement so overjoyed him

30

that he smiled at Hakim and bowed with extreme politeness. "Though I
lead a busy life that has little time left in it for obeying your
orders, I shall be there, never fear."

Hakim continued to frown and turned that frown on Abdullah back over his
shoulder as he left. He was obviously both displeased and suspicious.
Abdullah could not have cared less. As soon as Hakim was out of sight,
he joyfully gave Jamal half his remaining money to guard his booth for
the day. In return, he was forced to accept from the increasingly
grateful Jamal a breakfast consisting of every delicacy on Jamal's
stall. Excitement had taken away Abdullah's appetite. There was so much
food that in order not to hurt Jamal's feelings, Abdullah gave most of
it secretly to Jamal's dog; this he did warily, because the dog was a
snapper as well as a biter. The dog, however, seemed to share its
master's gratitude. It thumped its tail politely, ate everything
Abdullah offered, and then tried to lick Abdullah's face.

Abdullah dodged that piece of politeness. The dog's breath was laden
with the scent of elderly squid. He patted it gingerly on its gnarled
head, thanked Jamal, and hurried off into the Bazaar. There he invested
his remaining cash in the hire of a handcart. This cart he loaded
carefully with his best and most unusual carpets-his floral Ochinstan,
the glowing mat from Inhico, the golden Farqtans, the glorious patterned
ones from the deep desert, and the matched pair from distant Thayack-and
wheeled them along to the big booths in the center of the Bazaar where