Повелитель мух
The Sound of the Shell
Histrousershadbeenloweredforanobviouspurposeandhadonlybeenpulledbackhalf-way.Hejumpedoffthepalmterraceintothesandandhistrousersfellabouthisankles;hesteppedoutofthemandtrottedtotheplatform.Piggyhelpedhimup.MeanwhileRalphcontinuedtoblowtillvoicesshoutedintheforest.ThesmallboysquattedinfrontofRalph,lookingupbrightlyandvertically.Ashereceivedthereassuranceofsomethingpurposefulbeingdonehebegantolooksatisfied,andhisonlycleandigit,apinkthumb,slidintohismouth.
Piggyleaneddowntohim.
"What’syername?"
"Johnny."
PiggymutteredthenametohimselfandthenshoutedittoRalph,whowasnotinterestedbecausehewasstillblowing.Hisfacewasdarkwiththeviolentpleasureofmakingthisstupendousnoise,andhisheartwasmakingthestretchedshirtshake.Theshoutingintheforestwasnearer.
Signsoflifewerevisiblenowonthebeach.Thesand,tremblingbeneaththeheathaze,concealedmanyfiguresinitsmilesoflength;boysweremakingtheirwaytowardtheplatformthroughthehot,dumbsand.Threesmallchildren,noolderthanJohnny,appearedfromstartlinglycloseathand,wheretheyhadbeengorgingfruitintheforest.Adarklittleboy,notmuchyoungerthanPiggy,partedatangleofundergrowth,walkedontotheplatform,andsmiledcheerfullyateverybody.Moreandmoreofthemcame.TakingtheircuefromtheinnocentJohnny,theysatdownonthefallenpalmtrunksandwaited.Ralphcontinuedtoblowshort,penetratingblasts.
