Читать книгу The Perfect World. A romance of strange people and strange places онлайн

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“No,” in a low voice.

“Old chap, cut loose from her. When we get to the world again—don’t let our stay down here have coarsened us. The life is sordid enough, God knows, but don’t let us be sordid.”

“She has such power, Lanny.”

“I know, Dez, but fight it down, boy, I’ll help you.”

“Thanks, old chap.” Then suddenly, “Do you think we shall ever get away from here?”

“I mean to have a try, how, when, or where I don’t know yet, but there are two of us now and we must fight hard for our freedom.”

“I suppose we really ought to try and gain the confidence and trust of some of the natives?”

“That won’t be easy, but we must make the most of any opportunity that may come our way.”

Then they lapsed into silence as they looked about them in interest at the quaint places they passed. The streets twisted and turned like a veritable maze, and the boys wondered how the natives could ever remember their way about. There were no shops to be seen—the whole community seemed to live on roots that grew abundantly everywhere, variegated fungi that grew in clusters on low bushes by the water’s side, and fruits. Fish too was eaten at times, but it seemed as if it was only allowed to be consumed during certain periods when religious festivals were being kept.