Повелитель мух
The Sound of the Shell
Thefatboywaitedtobeaskedhisnameinturn butthisprofferofacquaintancewasnotmade; thefairboycalledRalphsmiledvaguely, stoodup,andbegantomakehiswayoncemoretowardthelagoon. Thefatboyhungsteadilyathisshoulder.
"Iexpectthere’salotmoreofusscatteredabout. Youhaven’tseenanyothers,haveyou?"
Ralphshookhisheadandincreasedhisspeed. Thenhetrippedoverabranchandcamedownwithacrash.
Thefatboystoodbyhim,breathinghard.
"Myauntietoldmenottorun,"heexplained, "onaccountofmyasthma."
"Ass-mar?"
"That’sright.Can’tcatchmybreath. Iwastheonlyboyinourschoolwhathadasthma,"saidthefatboywithatouchofpride. "AndI’vebeenwearingspecssinceIwasthree."
HetookoffhisglassesandheldthemouttoRalph,blinkingandsmiling, andthenstartedtowipethemagainsthisgrubbywind-breaker. Anexpressionofpainandinwardconcentrationalteredthepalecontoursofhisface. Hesmearedthesweatfromhischeeks andquicklyadjustedthespectaclesonhisnose.
"Themfruit."
Heglancedroundthescar
