tp.wyrd sisters-第35部分

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　'Pretty　weak　stuff；'　said　Nanny；　eventually。　She　fumbled　in　her　apron　pocket　for　her　tobacco　pouch。
　'Has　anyone　got　a　light？'　she　inquired。
　A　couple　of　actors　produced　bundles　of　matches。　Nanny　nodded；　and　put　the　pouch　away。
　'Good；'　she　said。　'Now；　has　anyone　got　any　tobacco？'
　Half　an　hour　later　the　lattys　rattled　over　the　Lancre　Bridge；　across　some　of　the　outlying　farmlands；　and　through　the　forests　that　made　up　most　of　the　kingdom。
　'This　is　it？'　said　Tomjon。
　'Well；　not　all　of　it；'　said　Nanny；　who　had　been　expecting　rather　more　enthusiasm。　'There's　lots　more　of　it　behind　the　mountains　over　there。　But　this　is　the　flat　bit。'
　'You　call　this　flat？'
　'Flattish；'　Nanny　conceded。　'But　the　air's　good。　That's　the　palace　up　there；　offering　outstanding　views　of　the　surrounding　countryside。'
　'You　mean　forests。'
　'You'll　like　it　here；'　said　Nanny　encouragingly。
　'It's　a　bit　small。'
　Nanny　thought　about　this。　She'd　spent　nearly　all　her　life　inside　the　boundaries　of　Lancre。　It　had　always　seemed　about　the　right　size　to　her。
　'Bijou；'　she　said。　'Handy　for　everywhere。'
　'Everywhere　where？'
　Nanny　gave　up。　'Everywhere　close；'　she　said。
　Hwel　said　nothing。　The　air　was　good；　rolling　down　the　unclimbable　slopes　of　the　Ramtops　like　a　sinus　wash；　tinted　with　turpentine　from　the　high　forests。　They　passed　through　a　gateway　into　what　was；　up　here；　probably　called　a　town；　the　cosmopolitan　he　had　bee　decided　that；　down　on　the　plains；　it　would　just　about　have　qualified；　as　an　open　space。
　'There's　an　inn；'　said　Tomjon　doubtfully。
　Hwel　followed　his　gaze。　'Yes；'　he　said；　eventually。　'Yes；　it　probably　is。'
　'When　are　we　going　to　do　the　play？'
　'I　don't　know。　I　think　we　just　send　up　to　the　castle　and　say　we're　here。'　Hwel　scratched　his　chin。　'Fool　said　the　king　or　whoever　would　want　to　see　the　script。'
　Tomjon　looked　around　Lancre　town。　It　seemed　peaceful　enough。　It　didn't　look　like　the　kind　of　place　likely　to　turn　actors　out　at　nightfall。　It　needed　the　population。
　'This　is　the　capital　city　of　the　kingdom；'　said　Nanny　Ogg。　'Well…designed　streets；　you'll　notice。'
　'Streets？'　said　Tomjon。
　'Street；'　corrected　Granny。　'Also　houses　in　quite　good　repair；　stone's　throw　from　river…'
　'Throw？'
　'Drop；'　Nanny　conceded。　'Neat　middens；　look；　and　extensive…'
　'Madam；　we've　e　to　entertain　the　town；　not　buy　it；'　said　Hwel。
　Nanny　Ogg　looked　sidelong　at　Tomjon。
　'Just　wanted　you　to　see　how　attractive　it　is；'　she　said。
　'Your　civic　pride　does　you　credit；'　said　Hwel。　'And　now；　please；　leave　the　cart。　I'm　sure　you've　got　some　wood　to　gather。　Lawks。'
　'Much　obliged　for　the　snack；'　said　Nanny；　climbing　down。
　'Meals；'　corrected　Hwel。
　Tomjon　nudged　him。　'You　ought　to　be　more　polite；'　he　said。　'You　never　know。'　He　turned　to　Nanny。　'Thank　you；　good　…　oh；　she's　gone。'
　
　'They've　e　to　do　a　theatre；'　said　Nanny。
　Granny　Weatherwax　carried　on　shelling　beans　in　the　sun；　much　to　Nanny's　annoyance。
　'Well？　Aren't　you　going　to　say　something？　I've　been　finding　out　things；'　she　said。　'Picking　up　information。　Not　sitting　around　making　soup…'
　'Stew。'
　'I　reckon　it's　very　important；'　sniffed　Nanny。
　'What　kind　of　a　theatre？'
　'They　didn't　say。　Something　for　the　duke；　I　think。'
　'What's　he　want　a　theatre　for？'
　'They　didn't　say　that；　either。'
　'It's　probably　all　a　trick　to　get　in　the　castle；'　Granny　said　knowingly。　'Very　clever　idea。　Did　you　see　anything　in　the　carts？'
　'Boxes　and　bundles　and　such。'
　'They'll　be　full　of　armour　and　weapons；　depend　upon　it。'
　Nanny　Ogg　looked　doubtful。
　They　didn't　look　very　much　like　soldiers　to　me。　They　were　awfully　young　and　spotty。'
　'Clever。　I　expect　in　the　middle　of　the　play　the　king　will　manifest　his　destiny；　right　where　everyone　can　see　him。　Good　plan。'
　'That's　another　thing；'　said　Nanny；　picking　up　a　bean　pod　and　chewing　it。　'He　doesn't　seem　to　like　the　place　much。'
　'Of　course　he　does。　It's　in　his　blood。'
　'I　brought　him　the　pretty　way。　He　didn't　seem　very　impressed。'
　Granny　hesitated。
　'He　was　probably　suspicious　of　you；'　she　concluded。　'He　was　probably　too　overe　to　speak；　really。'
　She　put　down　the　bowl　of　beans　and　looked　thoughtfully　at　the　trees。
　'Have　you　got　any　family　still　working　up　at　the　castle？'　she　said。
　'Shirl　and　Daff　help　out　in　the　kitchens　since　the　cook　went　off　his　head。'
　'Good。　I'll　have　a　word　with　Magrat。　I　think　we　should　see　this　theatre。'
　
　'Perfect；'　said　the　duke。
　'Thank　you；'　said　Hwel。
　'You've　got　it　exactly　spot　on　about　that　dreadful　accident；'　said　the　duke。　'You　might　almost　have　been　there。　Ha。　Ha。'
　'You　weren't；　were　you？'　said　Lady　Felmet；　leaning　forward　and　glaring　at　the　dwarf。
　'I　just　used　my　imagination；'　said　Hwel　hurriedly。　The　duchess　glared　at　him；　suggesting　that　his　imagination　could　consider　itself　lucky　it　wasn't　being　dragged　off　to　the　courtyard　to　explain　itself　to　four　angry　wild　horses　and　a　length　of　chain。
　'Exactly　right；'　said　the　duke；　leafing　one…handedly　through　the　pages。　'This　is　exactly；　exactly；　exactly　how　it　was。'
　'Will　have　been；'　snapped　the　duchess。
　The　duke　turned　another　page。
　'You're　in　this　too；'　he　said。　'Amazing。　It's　a　word　for　word　how　I'm　going　to　remember　it。　I　see　you've　got　Death　in　it；　too。'
　'Always　popular；'　said　Hwel。　'People　expect　it。'
　'How　soon　can　you　act　it？'
　'Stage　it；'　corrected　Hwel；　and　added；　'We've　tried　it　out。　As　soon　as　you　like。'　And　then　we　can　get　away　from　here；　he　said　to　himself；　away　from　your　eyes　like　two　raw　eggs　and　this　female　mountain　in　the　red　dress　and　this　castle　which　seems　to　act　like　a　magnet　for　the　wind。　This　is　not　going　to　go　down　as　one　of　my　best　plays；　I　know　that　much。
　'How　much　did　we　say　we　were　going　to　pay　you？'　said　the　duchess。
　'I　think　you　mentioned　another　hundred　silver　pieces；'　said　Hwel。
　'Worth　every　penny；'　said　the　duke。
　Hwel　left　hurriedly；　before　the　duchess　could　start　to　bargain。　But　he　felt　he'd　gladly　pay　something　to　be　out　of　this　place。　Bijou；　he　thought。　Gods；　how　could　anyone　like　a　kingdom　like　this？
　
　The　Fool　waited　in　the　meadow　with　the　lake。　He　stared　wistfully　at　the　sky　and　wondered　where　the　hell　Magrat　was。　This　was；　she　said；　their　place；　the　fact　that　a　few　dozen　cows　also　shared　it　at　the　moment　didn't　appear　to　make　any　difference。
　She　turned　up　in　a　green　dress　and　a　filthy　temper。
　'What's　all　this　about　a　play？'　she　said。
　The　Fool　sagged　on　to　a　willow　log。
　'Aren't　you　glad　to　see　me？'　he　said。
　'Well；　yes。　Of　course。　Now；　this　play　。　。　。'
　'My　lord　wants　something　to　convince　people　that　he　is　the　rightful　King　of　Lancre。　Himself　mostly；　I　think。'
　'Is　that　why　you　went　to　the　city？'
　'Yes。'
　'It's　disgusting！'
　The　Fool　sat　calmly。　'You　would　prefer　the　duchess's　approach？'　he　said。　'She　just　thinks　they　ought　to　kill　everyone。　She's　good　at　that　sort　of　thing。　And　then　there'd　be　fighting；　and　everything。　Lots　of　people　would　die　anyway。　This　way　might　be　easier。'
　'Oh；　where's　your　spunk；　man？'
　'Pardon？'
　'Don't　you　want　to　die　nobly　for　a　just　cause？'
　'I'd　much　rather　live　quietly　for　one。　It's　all　right　for　you　witches；　you　can　do　what　you　like；　but　I'm　circumscribed；'　said　the　Fool。
　Magrat　sat　down　beside　him。　Find　out　all　about　this　play；　Granny　had　ordered。　Go　and　talk　to　that　jingling　friend　of　yours。　She'd　replied；　He's　very　loyal。　He　might　not　tell　me　anything。　And　Granny　had　said；　This　is　no　time　for　half　measures。　If　you　have　to；　seduct　him。
　'When's　this　play　going　to　be；　then？'　she　said；　moving　closer。
　'Marry；　I'm　sure　I'm　not　allowed　to　tell　you；'　said　the　Fool。　'The　duke　said　to　me；　he　said；　don't　tell　the　witches　that　it's　tomorrow　night。'
　'I　shouldn't；　then；'　agreed　Magrat。
　'At　eight　o'clock。'
　'I　see。'
　'But　meet　for　sherry　beforehand　at　seven…thirty；　i'faith。'
　'I　expect　you　shouldn't　tell　me　who　is　invited；　either；'　said　Magrat。
　'That's　right。　Most　of　the　dignitaries　of　Lancre。　You　understand　I'm　not　telling　you　this。'
　'That's　right；'　said　Magrat。
　'But　I　think　you　have　a　right　to　know　what　it　is　you're　not　being　told。'
　'Good　point。　Is　there　still　that　little　gate　around　the　back；　that　leads　to　the　kitchens？'
　'The　one　that　is　often　left　unguarded？'
　'Yes。'
　'Oh；　we　hardly　ever　guard　it　these　days。'
　'Do　you　think　there　might　be　someone　guarding　it　at　around　eight　o'clock　tomorrow？'
　'Well；　I　might　be　there。'
　'Good。'
　The　Fool　pushed　away　the　wet　nose　of　an　inquisitive　cow。
　'The　duke　will　be　expecting　you；'　he　added。
　'You　said　he　said　we　weren't　to　know。'
　'He　said　I　mustn't　tell　you。　But　he　also　said；　〃They'll　e　anyway；　I　hope　they　do。〃　Strange；　really。　He　seemed　in　a　very　good　mood　when　he　said　it。　Um。　Can　I　see　you　after　the　show？'
　'Is　that　all　he　said？'
　'Oh；　there　was　something　about　showing　witches　their　future。　I　didn't　understand　it。　I　really　would　like　to　see　you　after　the　show；　you　know。　I　brought…'
　'I　think　I　might　be　washing　my　hair；'　said　Magrat　vaguely。　'Excuse　me；　I　really　ought　to　be　going。'
　'Yes；　but　I　brought　you　this　pres…'　said　the　Fool　vaguely；　watching　her　departing　figure。
　He　sagged　as　she　disappeared　between　the　trees；　and　looked　down　at　the　necklace　wound　tightly　between　his　nervous　fingers。　It　was；　he　had　to　admit；　terribly　tasteless；　but　it　was　the　sort　of　thing　she　liked；　all　silver　and　skulls。　It　had　cost　him　too　much。
　A　cow；　misled　by　his　horns；　stuck　its　tongue　in　his　ear。
　It　was　true；　the　Fool　thought。　Witches　did　do　unpleasant　things　to　people；　sometimes。
　Tomorrow　night　came；　and　the　witches　went　by　a　roundabout　route　to　the　castle；　with　considerable　reluctance。
　'If　he　wants　us　to　be　here；　I　don't　want　to　go；'　said　Granny。　'He's　got　some　plan。　He's　using　headology　on　us。'
　'There's　something　up；'　said　Magrat。　'He　had　his　men　set　fire　to　three　cottages　in　our　village　last　night。　He　always　does　that　when　he's　in　a　good　mood。　That　new　sergeant　is　a　quick　man　with　the　matches；　too。'
　'Our　Daff　said　she　saw　them　actors　practisin'　this　morning；'　said　Nanny　Ogg；　who　was　carrying　a　bag'of　walnuts　and　a　leather　bottle　from　which　rose　a　rich；　sharp　smell。　'She　said　it　was　all　shouting　and　stabbing　and　then　wondering　who　done　it　and　long　bits　with　people　muttering　to　themselves　in　loud　voices。'
　'Actors；'　said　Granny；　witheringly。　'As　if　the　world　weren't　full　of　enough　history　without　inventing　more。'
　'They　shout　so　loud；　too；'　said　Nanny。　'You　can　hardly　hear　yourself　talk。'　She　was　also　carrying；　deep　in　her　apron　pocket；　a　lump　of　haunted　castle　rock。　The　king　was　getting　in　free。
　Granny　nodded。　But；　she　thought；　it　was　going　to　be　worth　it。　She　hadn't　got　the　faintest　idea　what　Tomjon　had　in　mind；　but　her　inbuilt　sense　of　drama　assured　her　that　the　boy　would　be　bound　to　do　something　important。　She　wondered　if　he　would　leap　off　the　stage　and　stab　the　duke　to　death；　and　realised　that　she　was　hoping　like　hell　that　he　would。
　'All　hail　wossname；'　she　said　under　her　breath；　'who　shall　be　king　here；　after。'
　'Let's　get　a　move　on；'　said　Nanny。　'All　the　sherry'll　be　gone。'
　The　Fool　was　waiting　despondently　inside　the　little　wicket　gate。　His　face　brightened　when　he　saw　Magrat；　and　then　froze　in　an　expression　of　polite　surprise　when　he　saw　the　other　tw