JК
Sharpes Havoc :: Корнуэлл Бернард
Страница: 93 из 242„If there’s peace,” he said, „then they can go back to being cobblers orwhatever it is they do when they ain’t shambling about the place in ill-fitting uniforms.” He sipped his coffee. „Speaking of which, Sharpe, it’s time you got yourself a new one.”
„I’ll talk to my tailor,” Sharpe said and then, before Christopher could react to his insolence, asked a serious question. „You think there will be peace, sir?”
„Quite a few of the Frogs think Bonaparte’s bitten off more than he can chew,” Christopher said airily, „and Spain, certainly, is probably indigestible.”
„Portugal isn’t?”
„Portugal’s a mess,” Christopher said dismissively, „but France can’t hold Portugal if she can’t hold Spain.” He turned to watch Luis leading the gig from the stable. „I think there’s the real prospect of radical change in the air,” he said. „And you, Sharpe, won’t jeopardize it. Lie low here for a week or so and I’ll send word when you can take your fellows south. With a little luck you’ll be home by June.”
„You mean back with the army?”
„I mean home in England, of course,” Christopher said, „proper ale, Sharpe, thatched roofs, cricket on the Artillery Ground, church bells, fat sheep, plump parsons, pliant women, good beef, England. Something to look forward to, eh, Sharpe?”
„Yes, sir,” Sharpe said and wondered why he mistrusted Christopher most when the Colonel was trying to be pleasant.
„There’s no point in you trying to leave anyway,” Christopher said, „the French have burned every boat on the Douro, so keep your lads out of trouble and I’ll see you in a week or two”-Christopher threw away the rest of his coffee and held his hand out to Sharpe-”and if not me, I shall send a message. I left your telescope on the hall table, by the way. You’ve got a key to the house, haven’t you? Keep your fellows out of it, there’s a good chap. Good day to you, Sharpe.”
„And to you, sir,” Sharpe said, and after he had shaken the Colonel’s hand he wiped his own on his French breeches. Luis locked the house, Kate smiled shyly at Sharpe and the Colonel took the gig’s reins. Luis collected the dragoons’ horses then followed the gig down the drive toward Vila Real de Zedes.
Harper strolled over to Sharpe. „We’re to stay here while they make peace?” The Irishman had evidently been eavesdropping.
„That’s what the man said.”
„And is that what you think?”
Sharpe stared into the east, toward Spain.
„I’ll talk to my tailor,” Sharpe said and then, before Christopher could react to his insolence, asked a serious question. „You think there will be peace, sir?”
„Quite a few of the Frogs think Bonaparte’s bitten off more than he can chew,” Christopher said airily, „and Spain, certainly, is probably indigestible.”
„Portugal isn’t?”
„Portugal’s a mess,” Christopher said dismissively, „but France can’t hold Portugal if she can’t hold Spain.” He turned to watch Luis leading the gig from the stable. „I think there’s the real prospect of radical change in the air,” he said. „And you, Sharpe, won’t jeopardize it. Lie low here for a week or so and I’ll send word when you can take your fellows south. With a little luck you’ll be home by June.”
„You mean back with the army?”
„I mean home in England, of course,” Christopher said, „proper ale, Sharpe, thatched roofs, cricket on the Artillery Ground, church bells, fat sheep, plump parsons, pliant women, good beef, England. Something to look forward to, eh, Sharpe?”
„Yes, sir,” Sharpe said and wondered why he mistrusted Christopher most when the Colonel was trying to be pleasant.
„There’s no point in you trying to leave anyway,” Christopher said, „the French have burned every boat on the Douro, so keep your lads out of trouble and I’ll see you in a week or two”-Christopher threw away the rest of his coffee and held his hand out to Sharpe-”and if not me, I shall send a message. I left your telescope on the hall table, by the way. You’ve got a key to the house, haven’t you? Keep your fellows out of it, there’s a good chap. Good day to you, Sharpe.”
„And to you, sir,” Sharpe said, and after he had shaken the Colonel’s hand he wiped his own on his French breeches. Luis locked the house, Kate smiled shyly at Sharpe and the Colonel took the gig’s reins. Luis collected the dragoons’ horses then followed the gig down the drive toward Vila Real de Zedes.
Harper strolled over to Sharpe. „We’re to stay here while they make peace?” The Irishman had evidently been eavesdropping.
„That’s what the man said.”
„And is that what you think?”
Sharpe stared into the east, toward Spain.