"Alastair Reynolds - The Sledge-maker's Daughter" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reynolds Alastair)

'''I haven'''t got any money for wood.'''

'''I'''d take none. Your father was always generous to me, when I was going through lean times.''' Peter
scratched behind his ear. '''Only fair, the way I see it.'''
'''Thank you,''' Kathrin said doubtfully. '''But I don'''t think I can carry the wood all the way home.'''

'''Not with two hogs''' heads as well. But you can drop by when you'''ve given the heads to Widow
Grayling.'''

'''Only I won'''t be coming back over the river,''' Kathrin said. '''After I'''ve crossed Twenty Arch Bridge,
I'''ll go back along the south quayside and take the ferry at Jarrow.'''

Peter looked puzzled. '''Why line the ferryman'''s pocket when you can cross the bridge for nowt?'''

Kathrin shrugged easily. '''I'''ve got to visit someone on the Jarrow road, to settle an account.'''

'''Then you'''d better take the wood now, I suppose,''' Peter said.

Mary bustled in, carrying a small wooden tray laden with bread and ham. She was as plump and red as
her husband, only shorter. Picking up the entire gist of the conversation in an instant, she said, '''Don'''t be
an oaf, Peter. The girl cannot carry all that wood and her bags. If she will not come back this way, she
must pass a message on to her father. Tell him that there'''s wood here if he wants it.''' She shook her
head sympathetically at Kathrin. '''What does he think you are, a pack mule?'''

'''I'''ll tell my father about the wood,''' she said.

'''Seasoned beech,''' Peter said emphatic'?ally. '''Remember that.'''

'''I will.'''

Mary encouraged her to take some of the bread and meat, despite Kathrin again mentioning that she
expected to be fed at Widow Grayling'''s. '''Take it anyway,''' Mary said. '''You never know how hungry
you might get on the way home. Are you sure about not coming back this way?'''

'''I'''d best not,''' Kathrin said.

After an awkward lull, Peter said, '''There is something else I meant to tell your father. Could you let him
know that I'''ve no need of a new sledge this year, after all?'''

'''Peter,''' Mary said. '''You promised.'''

'''I said that I should probably need one. I was wrong in that.''' Peter looked exasperated. '''The fault lies
in Brendan, not me! If he did not make such good and solid sledges, then perhaps I should need another
by now.'''

'''I shall tell him,''' Kathrin said.

'''Is your father keeping busy?''' Mary asked.