Book: Stranger. Page 1

- You actually saw it?
- Oh, Yes! and I tell you, miss, to see men flogged with whips - not a pleasant sight. I, fortunately, have not experienced this myself, but I think that waiting is not too sweet. Watch as whip whips someone, waiting the same for myself... God forbid!

- No, lady, you're wrong, let me tell you. Imagination is a good thing, but seeing as the man whipped on the bare back, is quite another. Nasty stuff, designed to break the person, so often and it happens.
But not Jamie.

Did you know that you did it Randall. Jamie told you about it?
- A little bit.
- So he's nice to you, - thoughtfully said Dougal. - He's usually nobody talks about it.
Even can't imagine, why would it? - I said sarcastically.

Did you know that you did it Randall. Jamie told you about it?
- A little bit.
- So he's nice to you, - thoughtfully said Dougal. - He's usually nobody talks about it.
Even can't imagine, why would it? - I said sarcastically.

If you command the men, based on solid rules. Or win their respect if you can. Or ' threaten them.

You know the captain? - he asked suddenly.
Worse than you, ' I replied. - I've seen it before only once, and that was by accident. we were each other's taste.
To my surprise, Dougal's stern face softened.
- I can't say that I much prefer, he said.
Drummed his fingers on the edge of the stone wall of the pond, pondering, and turned to me.
- And some of it very high regard. Say, a brave soldier and a great warrior.
I raised my eyebrows.
Since I'm not a General of the British army, to me these qualities do not impress.

Sharp forest smell tickled his throat. I've been on some of the hills and breathed the same spring scents, but then they mingled with the stink of exhaust gas coming from the road, and the chirping of birds was played to drown out the voices of tourists. When was the last time I raised this here trail, the ground was littered with sandwich wrappers and empty packs of cigarettes, not the blossoming buds of hollyhocks and flowers of violets. Wrappers from sandwiches seemed quite reasonable fee for such blessings of civilization as, say, antibiotics and phone, but now I felt gratitude to the violets. I really needed the peace and quiet, and I felt them.

I thanked him by staying near his temporary bed before you retire to your shitty shelter, but he only waved a careless hand in response to my words.
Isn't this selfless service on my part, he said. - I better not get caught their eye.
I had completely forgotten about the fact that he has his reasons to stay away from English soldiery. But I immediately came to mind, which is more secure, he could settle in for the night in a warm stable, rather than at my door on the floor.
- But here can anyone come, ' I said, then you will find.
He stretched out his long arm and closed the open shutter. The corridor was dark, and Jamie turned into a kind of shapeless mass.
They will not see my face, he said. Besides, my name does not represent for them any interest, even there I will call the present, which I'm not going to do.
- Yes, - with doubt I said, but does it not seem strange to them, what are you doing here in the dark?
I have not seen him, but judging by his voice he was smiling.
- Nothing like anglichanka. They'll just think I'm waiting in line.
I laughed and left the room. I lay on the bed and fell asleep in admiration of Jamie: afford free jokes, and he was scared even thinking about sleeping with me in the same room.

- You can't sleep, ' I said. - Come in. The room floor still cleaner.
Jamie stopped, his hand on the doorpost.
- To sleep in the same room? - he was really stunned. - I can't do it. Your reputation will perish.
He spoke quite sincerely. I almost laughed, but tactfully turned the laugh into a cough. Taking into account the conditions of our journey, the overcrowding of hotels, the wretched condition or complete lack of sanitary facilities, I was in such close physical communication with these men, Jamie included, that the thought of such delicacy struck me as funny.

Booze is a very pleasant fellow, but not too good adviser in what is called good behavior, especially if a cute little girl bumps into you in the dark.

I again sat in the saddle in front of him, my horse we were about. I thanked Jamie for the help. He shrugged off my gratitude:
- Not at all, lady!
But for you it was risky, I said. - Unfortunately, I did not realize that endanger you your request.
- Ah! - he said it, but a minute later added with a short laugh: - Oh, do not you think me less brave than a little English miss?
Twilight descended, and Jamie let the horses trot. We hardly spoke on the way, and when he reached the castle, he left me short: "good night, Mrs. English!" But I felt that was the beginning of friendship is much deeper than that, which is limited to the light-hearted chit-chat under the Apple trees.

Like many people, I was horrified to hear the stories and the messages, comes from postwar Germany - about the deportations and mass murder, of concentration camps and crematoria. And just as many others did and will do for years to come, I asked myself: "How could people let this happen? They had to know they saw the trains, saw fence, saw the smoke. How could they stand by and do nothing?" But now I understand.

In school I, like all children, I read Dickens. And earlier writers, of course, also; remember not knowing pity the justice of the old times, harsh sentences to those who violated the law - the sentences did not take into account neither age nor circumstances. But read from a cozy distance of one or two hundred years about how hung or mutilated children is not something that pound of pot in the mortar, while a few feet below, something similar is happening in reality.

- How did you know... - I started, but Alec gave a derisive snort.
I only have one eye, young lady, but that doesn't mean I'm blind.