Повелитель мух
The Sound of the Shell
"Suckstoyourass-mar!"
Piggyborethiswithasortofhumblepatience.
"Youcan’thalfswimwell."
Ralphpaddledbackwardsdowntheslope,immersedhismouthandblewajetofwaterintotheair.Thenheliftedhischinandspoke.
"IcouldswimwhenIwasfive.Daddytaughtme.He’sacommanderintheNavy.Whenhegetsleavehe’llcomeandrescueus.What’syourfather?"
Piggyflushedsuddenly
"Mydad’sdead,"hesaidquickly,"andmymum—"Hetookoffhisglassesandlookedvainlyforsomethingwithwhichtocleanthem.
"Iusedtolivewithmyauntie.Shekeptacandystore.Iusedtogeteversomanycandies.AsmanyasIliked.When’llyourdadrescueus?"
"Soonashecan."
Piggyrosedrippingfromthewaterandstoodnaked,cleaninghisglasseswithasock.Theonlysoundthatreachedthemnowthroughtheheatofthemorningwasthelong,grindingroarofthebreakersonthereef.
"Howdoesheknowwe’rehere?"
Ralphlolledinthewater.Sleepenvelopedhimliketheswathingmiragesthatwerewrestlingwiththebrillianceofthelagoon.
