Повелитель мух
Gift for the Darkness
"Jack?"
"Jack."Ataboowasevolvingroundthatwordtoo.
Ralphnoddedsolemnly.
"Yes,"hesaid,"Isupposeitmustbe."
Theforestnearthemburstintouproar.Demoniacfigureswithfacesofwhiteandredandgreenrushedouthowling,sothatthelittlunsfledscreaming.Outofthecornerofhiseye,RalphsawPiggyrunning.Twofiguresrushedatthefireandhepreparedtodefendhimselfbuttheygrabbedhalf-burntbranchesandracedawayalongthebeach.Thethreeothersstoodstill,watchingRalph;andhesawthatthetallestofthem,starknakedsaveforpaintandabelt,wasJack.
Ralphhadhisbreathbackandspoke.
"Well?"
Jackignoredhim,liftedhisspearandbegantoshout.
"Listenallofyou.Meandmyhunters,we’relivingalongthebeachbyaflatrock.Wehuntandfeastandhavefun.Ifyouwanttojoinmytribecomeandseeus.PerhapsI’llletyoujoin.Perhapsnot."
Hepausedandlookedround.Hewassafefromshameorself-consciousnessbehindthemaskofhispaintandcouldlookateachoftheminturn.Ralphwaskneelingbytheremainsofthefirelikeasprinterathismarkandhisfacewashalf-hiddenbyhairandsmut.
