Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

Samuel turned an amused look on Hugh. "I say, you are keen, dear boy."

Hugh was sometimes told he was too cocky, so now he pretended to be humble. "I know I've got an awful lot to learn still."

"Now, now, no false modesty. Tell me something. If you were to be released from Mr. Mulberry's service, what job would you like to do next?"

Hugh did not have to think about his answer. The most coveted job was that of correspondence clerk. Most clerks saw only a part of a transaction--the part they recorded--but the correspondence clerk, drafting letters to clients, saw the whole deal. It was the best position in which to learn, and the best from which to win promotion. And Uncle Samuel's correspondence clerk, Bill Rose, was due to retire.

Without hesitation Hugh said: "I'd like to be your correspondence clerk."

"Would you, now? After only a year in the bank?"

"By the time Mr. Rose goes it will be eighteen months."

"So it will." Samuel still seemed amused, but he had not said no. "We'll see, we'll see," he said, and he went out.

Mulberry said to Hugh: "Did you advise Sir John Cammel to buy the surplus Russian bonds?"

"I just mentioned it," said Hugh.

"Well, well," said Mulberry. "Well, well." And he sat staring at Hugh speculatively for several minutes thereafter.

Section 2

IT WAS A SUNNY SUNDAY AFTERNOON, and all London was out for a stroll in their best Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes. The wide avenue of Piccadilly was free from traffic, for only an invalid would drive on the Sabbath. Maisie Robinson and April Tilsley were strolling down Piccadilly, looking at the palaces of the rich and trying to pick up men.

They lived in Soho, sharing a single room in a slum house in Carnaby Street, near the St. James's Workhouse. They would get up around midday, dress carefully, and go out on the streets. By evening they had generally found a couple of men to pay for their dinner: if not, they went hungry. They had almost no money but they needed little. When the rent was due April would ask a boyfriend for a "loan." Maisie always wore the same clothes and washed her underwear every night. One of these days someone would buy her a new gown. Sooner or later, she hoped, one of the men who bought her dinner would either want to marry her or set her up as his mistress.

April was still excited about the South American she had met, Tonio Silva. "Just think, he can afford to lose ten guineas on a bet!" she said. "And I've always liked red hair."