It was very sunny that day, just like today...
Andri couldn't hold his smile. He went out to the quay of the winding canal and walked straight along the cast-iron fence, walking his palm along the warm, smooth railing. The water was splashing down below and reflected the tall city houses - dozens of windows... Andri loved his city very much. Alleys, gardens, fountains and such beautiful houses. Surprisingly beautiful... Sometimes it seemed to him that the stone looked like lace or even music.
Near Goebbs' office, Andrew carefully invited five disheveled hair and smiled at two bronze dogs guarding the porch. The dogs, however, were so many guards - they didn't bark at anybody, but sat, looking at passers-by with good evil eyes.
The door was locked. When Andrew pulled the cord, somewhere in the back of the office, there was a melodic ringing of the bell, and then solid rapid steps. A few moments later, the door lock clicked and the tall, smiling gentleman appeared on the doorstep. He looked up to his toes at Andri and, not recognizing either the client or any of his acquaintances, asked him frowning:
- What do you want, young man?
A letter from his father burnt his chest under his shirt, but Andri knew that you shouldn't take it out on the street.
- I'm from Professor Goran," he replied quietly and immediately saw the man's eyes widen.
- Come in! - The frowning gentleman quickly said and immediately slammed the door as soon as Andry was inside. - Aren't you the professor's son? - He asked doubtfully.
Andri nodded.
- Wow! Goran was completely obsessed... To send the boy at such a time! And, however, ... However... - The gentleman was a little strange as if he was talking to himself.
Andri didn't hesitate any longer. He pulled out an envelope from behind the sinus and said:
- My father told me to give it to Mr. Gebbs himself. Can you call him?
- It's me, Gebbs! - A man snorted angrily. - I own this office. Give it to me.
Andrew shook his shoulders and let Mr. Gebbs greedily grab the envelope from his fingers.
- Well... I'll go," Andry stepped upside down. - They're waiting for me at home.
- Of course, of course! - Gebbs glanced at the guest with a glimpse, barely breaking away from the letter that had been placed in the envelope. - Go home! Be careful, these damn red clothes are everywhere.
Andrew nodded, but Gebbs didn't notice it anymore - he was extremely fond of the contents of the letter.
And the sun was still shining brightly and joyfully outside. And he hadn't seen any "red cloths" yet this morning. There were very few people on the streets at all. For the most part - different officials with briefcases, a few students and a few cautious women with baskets for shopping. I saw Andri and flocks of boys - not richly dressed simple guys who didn't care about the riots in the city. As before, they played in alleys in the sled, fought on sticks or drove hoops. Looking at them, Andri remembered with sadness about his scooter. He had a passion for running with a noisy vataga of street scumbags, climbing into someone else's garden, picking flowers for his mother...
Since Andry turned seven, Professor Goran has never limited his son in his choice of games and friends. He only allowed himself to advise and warnings. And this trust surprisingly kept Andri from all sorts of trouble. He quickly learned to understand where and with whom to play, and where and to whom it is better not to get involved. My mother repeatedly insisted that at such a young age boys need the supervision of their elders. However, the governess walked the professor's son not too often, only if you had to go far from home. Basically, Mrs. Donna spent her time with the girls. And this spring she suddenly disappeared somewhere. My father was very upset and even angry but decided that he would not hire a new governess. Indeed, Andri and Lisa had enough education at the gymnasium, and Vlad had already become an adult.
Lisa was dying of boredom. She was fed up with everything! And drawing, and books, and even lotto. She was terribly jealous of Andri, who was allowed to leave the house. And with hatred, she looked at the heavy curtains, which were separated from her by the whole world ... Angrily, Lisa was approaching the windows more and more often and, with the curtains moved away, looked out into the street. She squints in the bright sun and dreaming of escaping from this house prison.
Lunchtime was coming up, and the adults were getting more and more worried. Andri should have been back a long time ago. Mom even put her hoops aside and often looked out the kitchen window, hoping to see her son rushing to the back stairs.
But Andri was in no hurry.
Lisa was sure that he successfully coped with his father's task and now plays somewhere with the familiar boys. It was terribly unfair!...
Continuation in the next part of 32.