"Smith, Wilbur - Eagle in the Sky" - читать интересную книгу автора (Smith Wilbur)

Thank you, David. Barney was heavy on irony. And you may continue to
call me "Sir".

He knew the boy was fourteen years old, but he stood almost level with
Barney's five-foot-seven. David smiled at him and Barney was struck
almost as by a physical force by the boy's beauty. It seemed as though
each detail of his features had been wrought with infinite care by a
supreme artist. The total effect was almost unreal, theatrical. It
seemed indecent that hair should curl and glow so darkly, that skin
should be so satiny and delicately tinted, or that eyes possess such
depth and fire.

Barney became aware that he was staring at the boy, that he was falling
under the spell that the child seemed so readily to weave, and he turned
away abruptly.

Come on. He led the way through his office with its fly-blown nude
calendars and handwritten notices carrying terse admonitions against
asking for credit, or making right-hand circuits.

What do you know about flying? he asked the boy as they passed through
the cool gloom of the hangar where gaudily coloured aircraft stood in
long rows, and out again through the wide doors into the bright mild
winter sunshine.

Nothing, Sir. The admission was refreshing, and Barney felt his mood
sweeten slightly.

But you want to learn?

Oh, yes Sir! The reply was emphatic and Barney glanced at him. The
boy's eyes were so dark as to be almost black, only in the sunlight did
they turn deep indigo blue.

All right then, let's begin. The aircraft was waiting on the concrete
apron.

This is a Cessna 150 high-wing monoplane. Barney began the walk-around
check with David following attentively, but when he started a brief
explanation of the control surfaces and the principle of lift and
wingloading, he became aware that the boy knew more than he had owned up
to. His replies to Barney's rhetorical questions were precise and
accurate.

You've been reading, Barney accused.

Yes, Sir, David admitted, grinning. His teeth were of peculiar
whiteness and symmetry and the smile was irresistible. Despite himself,
Barney realized he was beginning to like the boy.