Повелитель мух
Gift for the Darkness
Forawhiletheysatindepressedsilence.ThenSimonstoodupandtooktheconchfromPiggy,whowassoastonishedthatheremainedonhisfeet.RalphlookedupatSimon.
"Simon?Whatisitthistime?"
Ahalf-soundofjeeringranroundthecircleandSimonshrankfromit.
"Ithoughttheremightbesomethingtodo.Somethingwe-"
Againthepressureoftheassemblytookhisvoiceaway.HesoughtforhelpandsympathyandchosePiggy.Heturnedhalftowardhim,clutchingtheconchtohisbrownchest.
"Ithinkweoughttoclimbthemountain."
Thecircleshiveredwithdread.SimonbrokeoffandturnedtoPiggywhowaslookingathimwithanexpressionofderisiveincomprehension.
"What’sthegoodofclimbinguptothisherebeastwhenRalphandtheothertwocouldn’tdonothing?"
Simonwhisperedhisanswer.
"Whatelseistheretodo?"
Hisspeechmade,heallowedPiggytolifttheconchoutofhishands.Thenheretiredandsatasfarawayfromtheothersaspossible.
Piggywasspeakingnowwithmoreassuranceandwithwhat,ifthecircumstanceshadnotbeensoserious,theotherswouldhaverecognizedaspleasure.
