"Jack Vance - Elder Isles 02 - The Green Pearl" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vance Jack)

Sarles rolled up his eyes and gritted his teeth in annoyance. Now, without fail or delay, he must make a
whole set of tedious repairs, and he could expect neither leisure nor wine-bibbing until the repairs were
done. To finance the repairs he might even be forced to beg a place aboard the Lirlou, which again was
most tiresome, since it meant that he would be forced to work Junt's hours.



For the nonce, he shifted the back-stay to one of the stem-cleats, which, in mild weather such as that of
today, would suffice.



Sarles fished for two hours, during which time he caught a single flounder. When he cleaned the fish, its
belly fell open and out rolled a magnificent green pearl, of a quality far beyond Sarles' experience.
Marvelling at his good fortune, he again threw out his lines but now the breeze began to freshen, and
concerned with the state of his makeshift back-stay, Sarles hoisted anchor, raised his sail and turned his
bow toward Mynault, and as he sailed he gloated upon the beautiful green pearl, the very touch of which
sent shivers of delight along his nerves.
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Once more in the harbour, Sarles beached his boat and set out for home, only to meet his cousin Junt.



"What?" cried Junt. "Back so soon from your work? It is not yet noon! What have you caught? A single
flounder? Sarles, you will die in penury if you do not take yourself in hand! Truly you should give the
Preval a good work-over and then fish with zeal, so that you may do something for yourself and your old
age."



Nettled by the criticism, Sarles retorted: "What of you? Why are you not out in your fine Lirlou? Do you
fear a bit of wind?"



"Not at all! I would fish and gladly, wind or no wind, but for caulking and fresh pitch done to Lirlou's
seams."



As a rule Sarles was neither clever, spiteful, nor mischievous, his worst vice being sloth and a surly
obstinacy in the face of chiding from his spouse. But now, impelled by a sudden tingle of crafty malice, he
said: "Well then, if zeal rives you so urgently, there is the Preval; sail out to the reef and fish until you have
had enough."