Modigliani's passionate love is the eccentric intellectual Beatrice Hastings. Strange abominations of the royals (11 photos) English Mistress Beatrice

Where she hid, it was dark and a little scary, but the little girl tried to obey her mistress, who strictly forbade her to leave the shelter. As long as it's not safe, she should sit quietly, like a mouse in a pantry. The girl thought it was a game like hide-and-seek, bast shoes or "potatoes".

She sat behind wooden barrels, listened to the sounds coming from her and mentally drew a picture of what was happening. It was once taught to her by her father. The men all around were shouting loudly. The girl thought that these rough voices filled with sea and salt belonged to sailors. In the distance, booming ship horns, piercing ship whistles and the splash of oars were heard, and in the air, spreading their wings and absorbing the spilling sunlight, gray gulls roared.

The mistress promised to return soon, and the girl was very much looking forward to this. She hid so long that the sun moved across the sky and warmed her knees, penetrating through her new dress. The girl listened to see if the lady's skirts rustled on the wooden deck. Usually her heels clattered and always hurried somewhere, not at all like her mother's. The girl remembered her mother, absently, briefly, as it should be for a child who is dearly loved. When will she come? Then thoughts returned to the mistress. She had known her before, and her grandmother spoke of her, calling her a Writer. The writer lived in a small house on the outskirts of the estate, behind a thorny labyrinth. But the girl was not supposed to know about this. Her mother and grandmother forbade her to play in the maze and approach the cliff. It was dangerous. Yet sometimes, when no one looked after her, the girl liked to break the taboos.

A sunbeam broke between two barrels, and hundreds of dust particles danced in it. The girl held out her finger, trying to catch at least one. The writer, the cliff, the labyrinth, and her mother left her thoughts in an instant. She laughed as she watched the dust particles fly close before they swept away.

Suddenly, the sounds around him changed, the steps quickened, the voices rang with excitement. The girl bent down, caught in a curtain of light, pressed her cheek against the cool wood of the barrels and peered through the boards with one eye.

She revealed someone's legs, shoes, hems of petticoats, tails of multi-colored paper ribbons fluttering in the wind. Cunning seagulls scoured the deck in search of crumbs.

Huge ship he leaned over and roared low, as if from the depths of his womb. The girl held her breath and pressed her hands to the floor. A wave of hesitation swept across the boards of the deck, reaching her fingertips. A moment of uncertainty - and the ship strained away from the pier. There was a farewell beep, a wave of joyful cries and wishes of “Bon voyage” swept through. They went to America, to New York, where her dad was born. The girl often heard adults whispering about leaving. Mom convinced dad that there was nothing more to wait and that they needed to leave as soon as possible.

The girl laughed again: the ship cut through the water like the giant whale Moby Dick from the story that her father often read. Mom didn't like those stories. She considered them too scary and said that there should be no place in her daughter's head for such thoughts. Dad invariably kissed Mom on the forehead, agreed with her and promised to be more careful in the future, but continued to read to the girl about a huge whale. There were other favorite stories from the fairy tale book. They talked about orphans and blind old women, about long journeys across the sea. Dad asked me not to tell mom. The girl herself understood that these readings must be kept secret. Mom didn’t feel well anyway, she got sick even before the birth of her daughter. Grandmother often reminded the girl that she needed to behave well, since her mother should not be upset. Something terrible can happen to mom, and only the girl will be to blame for everything. The girl kept a secret fairy tales, games at the maze and the fact that dad took her to visit the Writer. She loved her mother and did not want to upset her.

Someone pushed the barrel aside, and the girl closed her eyes against the sun's rays. She blinked until the owner of the voice blotted out the light. It was a big boy, eight or nine years old.

You're not Sally, he concluded, looking at her.

The girl shook her head.

According to the rules of the game, she must not reveal her name to strangers.

He wrinkled his nose and the freckles on his face came together.

And why is that?

The girl shrugged. It was also impossible to talk about the Writer.

Where is Sally then? The boy began to lose patience. He looked around. - She ran here, I'm sure.

Suddenly, laughter swept across the deck, there was a rustle and quick steps. The boy's face brightened.

Quicker! It won't get away!

The girl stuck her head out from behind the barrel. She watched the boy dive through the crowd, engrossed in chasing a whirlwind of white petticoats.

Her toes even itch, she so wanted to play with them.

Madam, push a little more, it's almost over! - exclaimed the midwife, holding the baby's head. - I can no longer! - Shouted a beautiful woman with long peach hair and piercing, dark blue eyes. - Now die! - She continued, experiencing labor pains. - That's all! The woman said and smiled. - Which a handsome boy ! Looks a lot like you! she added, wrapping the boy in soft cloth. But looking at the belly of a young mother, she realized herself and gave the firstborn into the hands of her assistant, and she herself began to continue to help the woman give birth. - It seems you will have triplets or twins. The midwife smiled. - I can't stand it! - Feeling that the second child began to push. - Take a deep breath! - The woman ordered. - Push! - She shouted, and when she saw the head of the second child, she began to cheer the young mother even more. - Well done! - She said, wrapping the second child in a diaper. Having given the child to another assistant, she turned to the girl. - Who is it? - Asked the girl, looking at the midwife with a tired look. - Boy, dear. - The girl answered. - What is your name? - She asked, seeing that the third child had gone. - Beaatrice! she exclaimed, and began to push again. - So, Beatrice, don't forget to breathe. The midwife reminded me. - Come on, a little more, you can already see the head! she exclaimed. - I can't! shouted Beatrice, closing her eyes tightly and holding two white canvases in her hands, squeezing them tightly. - Well done! the midwife exclaimed. - She gave birth to three children, not everyone can endure it. She complimented Beatrice. - Who was born? - She asked, gradually closing her eyes. - Who? she repeated again. The most beautiful girl I have ever seen in the world! - The midwife answered, wiping the girl from the blood. Swaddling the baby, she put the girl in the third bed, next to her older brothers. Noticing that Beatrice had fallen asleep from fatigue, she went out the door and saw Karl Heinz, next to whom stood a woman with purple hair and bright green eyes. - How did everything go? he asked, worried. - Everything is fine? he asked again. - Yes, everything went well, there were no complications, but the young lady was very tired and therefore fell asleep. - Said the midwife, wiping her hands with a towel. I see you will need my help later. - The woman smiled, looking at the small tummy of the woman who was standing next to Karl. - This is my second wife, - Cordelia. - He answered and smiled. - Who was born? he asked, taking the midwife's hands. The young lady gave birth to triplets. - The woman answered. - Come, look at your firstborn. - She added, and together with Carl and Cordelia went inside the room, which smelled of alcohol and other medicines. - Which one is which? - Asked the young father of the children. “Mistress Beatrice has given birth to two boys,” she said, and pointed with her hand to the first two beds, in which little boys snore. - And one girl. - She added and pointed to the third bed in which lay a cute girl and calmly looked at the man. - How beautiful she is. Carl gasped in surprise. - My little girl. - He said, taking the girl out of the crib and hugging her. Kissing the girl on the forehead, which made the latter smile with a toothless mouth, he laid her back in the crib. - We will choose the name together with Beatrice. He smiled and left the room with Cordelia.

A few hours later

Beatrice, you're finally awake! - Exclaimed Karl and squeezed the hand of his first wife. - You remember that vampires should have names from infancy, because they already understand everything at that age. He warned and smiled. - Yes I remember. She smiled back. What will we name our first child? - He asked and taking the boy in his arms with the same piercing dark blue eyes as his mother, he brought him to Beatrice. - Maybe ... - She thought, looking at her son. - Shu? she asked. - Gold leader? Yes? - He smiled. - I think he'll do. Do you like it, Shu? - Asked Carl, looking at his first son. The baby just smiled in response. Putting Shu next to his mother, he went to his second son. - So, come on, to my arms. Karl said. The kid was calm, lying and just looking at the faces of his parents. - I already know what we'll call it. - He said confidently. - And how? Beatrice asked, looking curiously at her husband. - Reiji, which means "Honest, calm." - He answered and gave his son into the arms of his wife, she in response kissed him on the forehead and put him next to her brother. - And here is our beautiful girl. - Karl said and took the girl in his arms and sat next to Beatrice. - You know, I was thinking, who does she look like? - Beatrice asked, carefully examining her daughter. - She doesn't look like me or you... Then who? - She thought and looked at Carl. - She is very similar to my mother. - He said looking at his daughter. - Here look. - It is not clear where, Karl took out a frame in which there was an incredibly beautiful photograph. It showed a girl with long light pink hair and deep blue eyes, this girl was wearing incredible Nice dress with a large bow on the strap, in which there were beautiful purple stones. - What a beautiful woman! Beatrice exclaimed and smiled. - She really looks like her. - Let's call her Shi, which means "Pearl". - He suggested and looked at Beatrice. - She will be our favorite and only pearl. - Beatrice said and smiled, took two more sons and hugged her whole beloved family.

It's been two years

Mommy! - Exclaimed a girl who looked about five years old with long pale pink hair and beautiful blue eyes. She was wearing a dark pink dress that reached her knees. - What happened, my treasure? The woman smiled and hugged her daughter. - Mom, I don't want to leave my brothers. - Whimpering, the girl answered. - Well, what is it! Beatrice jokingly exclaimed. - Remember, you are Sakamaki Shi, my daughter! You must never cry. - She said proudly, looking at her daughter. - Okay, mommy. - The girl answered and stopped crying. - But I don't want to leave. - Persistently said the girl. - Shi, understand, you are already a big girl, and even more so, the only girl in the family and you need to be protected from bad people, so your brothers and I will protect you, and you will stay with your dad for a few years, okay? - Beatrice told the story and, smiling, patted the girl on the head. - Yes. - Said the girl and smiled happily. - And now, run to your dad, he must have been waiting for you. Beatrice laughed. - Okay, Mom. - Said the girl and ran to the main entrance of the mansion. A pair of sad dark blue eyes stared after her. - My baby is growing, she will grow beautiful girl. Whispered Beatrice and smiled sadly. - Okay, you need to check on Shu, otherwise he will do something again. - She added and smiled, remembering her son's pranks. Rising from her knees, Beatrice brushed off her dress and looking in the direction of her departing daughter, she smiled and went towards the mansion, to her sons.

To be continued...

And why should I necessarily become a Slave of Passion? Why is Donal Rai refusing to sell me just to be someone's maid? I don't want to give myself to men...
“For a maid, you are unacceptably beautiful,” answered Karim. - You know it yourself, Zeinab. And don't be fooled - you enjoy it. You must always be honest. Yes, it's true - I'll teach you how to give yourself to a man. But not only this. I will also teach you how to make a man give himself to you both in body and soul.
- But this is impossible! she said. - No man will ever give himself to the needs of a woman! I will never believe it, my lord!
Karim laughed.
- But it's true, dear Zeinab. Beautiful woman It has great power even over the strong man and can defeat him in a love battle!
"I'm cold..." Regan muttered with a start. Karim rose from the couch and closed the wooden shutters.
Then, going to the chest and lifting the lid, he took out a thin woolen coverlet and handed it to Regan:
- Under him and next to me you will soon warm up. Let's lie down side by side, - and without waiting for her answer, he prostrated himself on the bed and held out his hands to her.
- Do you want to sleep with me? Regan's eyes were filled with fear again, but her voice was firm.
- This is our common bedroom with you, - he calmly explained. - Get under the covers, Zeinab, because I told you that I will not take you by force. I don't lie to you.
... And before her eyes stood Ian Ferguson, shamelessly boasting before her of his male article, Ian Ferguson, who mercilessly tormented her virgin flesh, satisfying his animal lust, trampling her soul ... Gunnar Bloody Ax was a little better, but, at least she didn't have to look into his distorted face as he raped her...
She glanced at Karim al-Malika. He lay on his back with his eyes closed, but she felt that he was awake. Can he be trusted? Should she believe him?
With a trembling hand, she threw back the covers and slid into the warmth... Men's arms immediately wrapped around her - Regan even jumped.
- What are you doing? she asked fearfully.
- So you will warm up sooner, - Karim said affectionately, - cuddle up to me. But if you don't want to, well, I understand you...
She felt the warmth of his hand on her shoulders. I felt his whole strong body... His presence for some reason had a calming effect.
- But do not allow yourself anything more! she warned sternly.
- Not today. In the thickening darkness, she did not see his smile. - Good night, my dear Zeinab. Good night...
- Well? Donal Rai asked in the morning. “Is Zeynab really worth the silver that I gave the Viking for her?”
- For all your time old friend! - answered Karim al-Malika. - The girl became the victim of two rude and uncouth chumps twice in a row. It takes time to earn her trust. But I will get it. I have never had such a student. She is ignorant and at the same time wise beyond her years. And about love, and even more so about passion, she has no idea. At least a year will pass before it can be presented without shame to the Caliph. Maybe even more…” Karim took a sip of hot, spiced wine from a silver onyx-lined goblet. “Are you willing to give me that time, or would you prefer to put it up for sale in a good market in Al-Andalus and get your money back?” After all, her education will need to be spent ...
- Not! Not! The girl is a real treasure. I knew it the moment that blockhead Gunnar Bloodaxe brought her into my quarters! She wrapped him around her finger like a child! Erda told me that Zeinab and Oma became friends on Gunnar's ship. Then Zeinab came up with the idea of telling the Viking that if she was offered to me along with a maid, then this would impress me very much. Haha! She is smart as a demon, Karim al-Malika! - Donal Rai became serious:
- How long will you stay in Dublin? And where are you going from here?
- The unloading of my ship is already completed, Donal Rai. I think that in a week we will have time to fill the holds - then we will sail to Al-Malika. It is now the middle of summer, but the breath of autumn is already felt in the air. I want to quickly get out of the unfriendly northern seas. In addition, I believe that Zeinab's training go where it is more successful if it is pulled out of the familiar environment.
Donal Rai nodded.
- You are wise. Where will she live?
- I have a villa in the suburbs of Al-Maliki. I will put her there. All the girls I have ever taught have lived in this lovely place. Everything there awakens sensuality - affectionate well-trained servants, luxury and languor in everything ... Zeinab will stop being shy when he finds himself in Paradise.
- In Paradise"? - the owner was taken aback. Karim laughed.
“That is what I have named my lovely villa, my good friend. The house is located near the sea, surrounded by gardens and fountains. Peace and tranquility reign there...
- And your father? Donal Rai asked.
- He prefers city life, and gives me complete freedom. In a way, I lived up to his expectations. I'm in good relations with a family, independent and rich, and besides, I am respected. I disappointed him in only one thing: I have neither a wife nor heirs. But I leave this to my older brothers - Jafar and Ayub. And yet my father is disappointed...
- And it can be understood, my boy. A person as passionate as you. Karim, for sure, would have conceived only sons. Besides younger son Habib-ibn-Malik is a great match... - Donal Rai finished with a smile.
“I am not yet ripe for marriage,” answered Karim. - I like my free life. Maybe if my experience with Zeinab is successful, I will take a couple more students after her...
- Are there many concubines in your harem? asked Donal Rai.
“I don’t have a harem at all,” answered Karim. - I am too rarely at home, and women, left to themselves, fall into anxiety and become defenseless against temptation ... They must constantly feel a firm male hand. That's when I get married, then I'll start a harem.
"Perhaps you are right," Donal Rai nodded. - You are wise beyond your years, Karim al-Malika!
- Allow Zeynab and Oma to walk in the garden, Donal Rai, - asked Karim. “We'll be at sea for weeks on end, and they'll be prisoners in the ship's cabin. I cannot give them freedom of movement on the ship: they will excite lust in my sailors, and this is dangerous.
Donal Rai nodded in agreement.
- Yes, swimming will be hard for girls. They are used to hard ground. And the journey from Stretchclyde to Dublin took only a couple of days, and the land was almost always within sight.
- Now they will not see the earth for many days ... - said Karim.
Erda announced to Regan and Morag that they could walk again in the pretty garden of Donal Rye's house. Shrieking with delight, they rushed down the stairs - and again began to walk in the sun, bask on beautiful marble benches, chat about the mysterious Al-Andalus, where they were soon to go ...
About noon, Allaeddin ben Omar appeared in the garden and respectfully announced Regan:
- Mrs. Zeinab, Karim al-Malika wishes to see you. He's waiting for you upstairs." The black-bearded sailor bowed politely.
Rigam thanked him and left the garden. Allaeddin-ben-Omar smiled at Moreg. Stretching out his hand, he gently pulled her pigtail - the girl giggled. Taking her hand, he began to walk with her around the garden.
“You are lovely,” he said.
“And you are a dashing suitor,” she answered. “Although I grew up in a monastery, I recognize such scoundrels right away.
He laughed softly and tenderly, and Moreg felt her heart melt...
- Yes, Oma, I really am a scoundrel, but a scoundrel with good heart. And you already kidnapped him, my darling. And you know - I don't want to get it back...
- You have honeyed speeches, Allaeddin-ben-Omar, - the girl answered with an enticing smile, but she immediately became embarrassed and bent down to sniff the rose.
When she straightened up, the man was standing right in front of her.
- Do you know that your name Oma comes from male name Lobster? His fingers touched the girl's cheek.
Moreg's eyes widened. Nervous, she took a step back. The touch was gentle and yet slightly shocked. She looked into his black eyes, and her heart was beating wildly. He reached out his arms to her again, and this time gently embraced her. Morag felt that she was about to fall unconscious. No, the shepherd's sons from the vicinity of the monastery had never behaved so boldly with her ... “0-o-o-oh!” - she exclaimed when his lips touched her mouth, but she did not resist, did not begin to break out ... She was wondering what would happen next, besides, with this giant, she, baby, felt safe.
From the rest window, Karim al-Malika watched his friend courting the girl. He had never seen Allaeddin so gentle, so patient and affectionate with a woman before. For some reason, Karim decided that this time his friend was too emotional. The gentle glance of Allaeddin, fixed on the lovely face of Oma, served as a harbinger of something much more than a fleeting passion ...
Hearing the sound of the door opening. Karim turned away from the window. A smile lit up his face.
- Zeinab! Did you sleep well?
"Okay," she admitted. Yes, she really had not felt so fresh and rested for a long time, as this morning, when she woke up and did not find him next to her. She smiled a little.
- Shall we continue our studies? he suggested. - Undress, my beauty. Today we will begin to comprehend the Science of Touch. Our sensitive skin means a lot in the art of love, Zeinab. It is very important to learn how to caress her properly. You must learn to touch yourself, and also your master, in such a way as to awaken all other feelings.
Regan was a little taken aback. He said it all very simply. There was nothing shameless in his voice. Slowly she pulled off her clothes. It was ridiculous to refuse - she already understood that. Last night he had convincingly proved to her that he expected immediate obedience from her. -Almost all morning she fought over a torn shirt, trying to sew it up: it was not in her rules to throw things. But the delicate fabric was hopelessly damaged...
Now, pulling her chemise over her head, she gave him a quick glance from under thick golden lashes. He wore only white trousers, and in the daylight his body seemed extraordinarily beautiful. Regan suddenly blushed. Come on, can a man be handsome?
He watched impassively as she undressed. She was perfection itself, but nevertheless he clearly realized that he would need all his skill to teach this creature the art of love. And all the self-control... The first commandment of the students of the Samarkand School of Passion was: "Do not let the student touch your heart." Before you begin to teach a woman, you must completely subdue her, but very gently, and not at all rudely. From the teacher, patience, kindness and firmness were required, but his heart must remain cold.
“Master…” she was completely naked now.
He looked her over again.
“You can make love at any time of the day or night,” he began. - Although some, suffering from excessive modesty, believe that passion can be released only in the dark. Well, just because you're scared, I figured that if we had lessons in broad daylight and you could see clearly what was going on, you'd sooner get rid of your empty fears. You understand me?
Regan nodded.
“That's good,” he said. “But before we get into the science of touch, you must accept the new name given to you. Now you can no longer bear a foreign name.
- But, if you deprive me of the name given to me at birth, you will deprive me of myself! Regan's eyes were filled with despair. - I don't want to disappear, my lord!
“But you are much more than just a name,” he said calmly. - And it is not the name that makes you what you are, Zeinab. You will never return to your homeland again. Memories will stay with you forever, but you won't live through them alone. You must break with the past and discard the former name given to you by your mother at birth. The new name means new life and much better than before. Now tell me your name, my beauty. Say: "My name is Zeinab." Tell!
For a moment, the aquamarine eyes filled with tears that seemed about to roll down her cheeks. Her lips tightened stubbornly... But suddenly she swallowed hard and said: “My name is Zeinab. It means "most beautiful".
- Again! Karim encouraged her.
- I'm Zeinab! Her voice got stronger.
- Good! - he condescended to praise, not remaining indifferent to her difficult internal struggle and victory over herself. He fully understood how difficult it was for her to break with the past, but he was satisfied that she finally understood: only by entrusting herself to him, she could survive in a new world for her.
"Now come to me," he ordered. - Remember that I will not force you to anything, but now I will touch you. You don't have to be afraid of me, Zeinab. You understood?
- Yes my Lord.
No, she will not be afraid, and if she is afraid, he will not see it either in her face or in her eyes ... “I am Zeynab,” she thought, getting used to everything new that entered her life with this name . - I am a creature created for the caresses and delight of a man. All future life mine depends on what this person teaches me. I don't want a monster like Ian Ferguson as my husband. And I have no desire to spend the rest of the days in the monastery, praying to the Lord, about whom I know almost nothing ... I am Zeynab - “the most beautiful” ... ”With an effort of will, she overcame the trembling that seized her body when Karim hugged her and pulled her to yourself.
...He felt her repulsion suppressed, and was satisfied. Then, taking her by the chin, he lifted the girl's head and began gently stroking her cheekbones and jaw with the back of his hand. He ran his finger along the straight nose, then began to caress her lips until they parted. When he smiled, looking straight into her eyes, Regan... no, already Zeinab felt that she was out of breath.
- Did you feel the power of touch? - as if by the way he asked.
"Yes," she nodded. - It powerful weapon, my Lord.
“Only if you know how to use it,” he corrected. - Well, let's continue. - He slightly turned Zeynab's head aside and found a tender place with his lips just under the earlobe; - You can touch not only with your hands, but also with your lips ... - he explained, - ... and with your tongue. He ran his tongue along her gardenia-scented neck with a powerful movement.
Zeynab trembled against her will.
"You're starting to get aroused," Karim said.
- Truth? - but she did not quite understand him.
Why are you suddenly trembling? - he asked.
“I…, I don’t know…” she answered honestly.
"Look at your nipples," Karim ordered. She was amazed at how small and hard they had become, like flower buds caught in frost.
- What did you feel when my mouth touched your body?
- By ... tingling, probably ... - Zeinab stuttered.
- But where exactly? - blue eyes intently
/>End introductory snippet
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Hello. Today I want to tell you about an incredible woman named Beatrix Potter (Helen Beatrix Potter)- the famous children's writer and artist.

She was born on July 28, 1866 in England.
She is known to everyone as a talented author of children's fairy tales and an artist - she illustrated all her books herself). The main characters of her stories have always been animals, and this is not strange, becauseBeatrice was very fond of animals and studied them all her life. When she was little, frogs, mice, a hedgehog, newt Isaac Newton and even bat. Beatrice watched them and drew. And her drawings kept getting better and better. By the time she began to depict her characters dressed in dresses, frock coats and caftans, the animals in the pictures seemed to come to life. Beatrice had two domestic rabbits, to which she dedicated many illustrations. One of them, Peter Push (Peter Rabbit), she drove on a leash and took it with her everywhere, even on the train. She dressed him in a blue jacket and wrote her first fairy tale about him with her own illustrations - the most famous in the whole world.

Beatrix Potter's journey as a writer and artist began in 1902year, when the publisher Frederick Warne published The Tale of Peter Rabbit - The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Previously, several publishers have abandoned the small book. Up to 1910Beatrice wrote, drew and published an average of two books a year.

The fees gave her some independence, although she still lived with her parents. AT 1905Beatrice's publisher Norman Warne proposed to her. Beatrice agreed to marry, but a few weeks later Warne died of blood cancer . In the same year, she bought Hill Top Farm in the village of Soray. After Norman's death, she tried to spend as much time there as possible. Farm types and surrounding nature began to appear in the form of illustrations for her books. AT 1913At the age of forty-seven, Beatrice married the notary William Hillis and began to live in the village of Sorey permanently.

In 2006, the film of the same name "Miss Potter" was released, where the role of Beatrice was played by actress Renee Zellweger. This is a very touching and soulful film about the life of Beatrice. About how difficult it is for a talented woman of her time to become independent and successful.

She sat behind wooden barrels, listened to the sounds coming from her and mentally drew a picture of what was happening. It was once taught to her by her father. The men all around were shouting loudly. The girl thought that these rough voices filled with sea and salt belonged to sailors. In the distance, booming ship horns, piercing ship whistles and the splash of oars were heard, and above, spreading their wings and absorbing the spilling sunlight, gray gulls roared.

She revealed someone's legs, shoes, hems of petticoats, tails of multi-colored paper ribbons fluttering in the wind. Cunning seagulls scoured the deck in search of crumbs.

The huge ship tilted and roared low, as if from the depths of its womb. The girl held her breath and pressed her hands to the floor. A wave of hesitation swept across the boards of the deck, reaching her fingertips. A moment of uncertainty - and the ship strained away from the pier. There was a farewell beep, a wave of joyful cries and wishes of “Bon voyage” swept through. They went to America, to New York, where her dad was born. The girl often heard adults whispering about leaving. Mom convinced dad that there was nothing more to wait and that they needed to leave as soon as possible.

The girl laughed again: the ship cut through the water like the giant whale Moby Dick from the story that her father often read. Mom didn't like those stories. She considered them too scary and said that there should be no place in her daughter's head for such thoughts. Dad invariably kissed Mom on the forehead, agreed with her and promised to be more careful in the future, but continued to read to the girl about a huge whale. There were other favorite stories from the fairy tale book. They talked about orphans and blind old women, about long journeys across the sea. Dad asked me not to tell mom. The girl herself understood that these readings must be kept secret. Mom didn’t feel well anyway, she got sick even before the birth of her daughter. Grandmother often reminded the girl that she needed to behave well, since her mother should not be upset. Something terrible can happen to mom, and only the girl will be to blame for everything. The girl kept a secret of fairy tales, games near the labyrinth and the fact that her father took her to visit the Writer. She loved her mother and did not want to upset her.

Someone pushed the barrel aside, and the girl closed her eyes against the sun's rays. She blinked until the owner of the voice blotted out the light. It was a big boy, eight or nine years old.

You're not Sally, he concluded, looking at her.

The girl shook her head.

According to the rules of the game, she must not reveal her name to strangers.

He wrinkled his nose and the freckles on his face came together.

And why is that?

The girl shrugged. It was also impossible to talk about the Writer.

Where is Sally then? The boy began to lose patience. He looked around. - She ran here, I'm sure.

Suddenly, laughter swept across the deck, there was a rustle and quick steps. The boy's face brightened.

Quicker! It won't get away!

The girl stuck her head out from behind the barrel. She watched the boy dive through the crowd, engrossed in chasing a whirlwind of white petticoats.

Her toes even itch, she so wanted to play with them.

But the Writer told me to wait.