（外文电子版资料）Patricia McKillip - The Gorgon in the Cupboard.pdf

The Gorgon in the Cupboard PATRICIA A. McKILLIP HARRY could not get the goat to stay still. His model, who was an aspiring actress, offered numerous impractical suggestions as she crouched beside the animal. In fact, she rarely stopped talking. Harry didnt like the look in the goats eye. It wasnt very big, but it seemed to him arrogant beyond its age, and contemplating mischief. Give it something to eat, Moira suggested. Goats eat anything, dont they? That old leather sack, there. Thats my lunch, Harry said patiently. And the less we put into the goat, the less will come out of it. If you get my meaning. She giggled. She was quite charming, with her triangular elfin face, her large green eyes with lashes so long they seemed to catch air like butterfly wings as they rose and fell. She dealt handily with the goat, who was eyeing Harrys lunch now. It strained against the rope around its neck,occasionally tightening it so that its yellow eyes verged on the protuberant. A bit like hers, Harry thought. Try to remain serious, he pleaded. Youre a scapegoat; youve been falsely accused and spurned by the world. Your only friend in the world is that goat. I thought you said you were just sketching the outlines today. Putting us in our places. So why do I have to be serious? The goat, in whose rope her wrists were supposedly entangled, gave an obstinate tug; she loosed one hand and smacked it. You should have gotten a female. Theyre sweet-natured. Not like this ruffian. She wrinkled her nose. Stinks, too, he does. Like— This one was all I could borrow. Please. They were still for a miraculous moment, both gazing at him. He picked up charcoal, held his breath and drew a line of the goats flank onto the canvas, then continued the line with her flank and bent knee. She swatted at a fly; the goat bucked; they both seemed to baa at once. Harry sighed, w