"Herbert George Wells. When the Sleeper Wakes" - читать интересную книгу автора

undertone. He walked slanting ways across the room and turned, blowing out
his cheeks again. "Ugh!" he grunted, a man relieved.

Graham stood regarding him.

"You must understand," began Howard abruptly, avoiding Graham's eyes, "that
our social order is very complex. A half explanation, a bare unqualified
statement would give you false impressions. As a matter of fact-it is a
case of compound interest partly-your small fortune, and the fortune of
your cousin Warming which was left to you-and certain other beginnings-have
become very considerable. And in other ways that will be hard for you to
understand, you have become a person of significance-of very considerable
significance-involved in the world's affairs."

He stopped.

"Yes?" said Graham.

"We have grave social troubles."

"Yes? "

"Things have come to such a pass that, in fact, is advisable to seclude you
here."

"Keep me prisoner! " exclaimed Graham.

"Well-to ask you to keep in seclusion."

Graham turned on him. "This is strange!" he said.

"No harm will be done you."

"No harm ! "

"But you must be kept here-"

"While I learn my position, I presume."

"Precisely."

"Very well then. Begin. Why __harm?__"

" Not now."

"Why not? "

"It is too long a story, Sire."

"All the more reason I should begin at once. You say I am a person of