Повелитель мух
Fire on the Mountain
"Where?"
"Inthewoods."
Eitherthewanderingbreezesorperhapsthedeclineofthesunallowedalittlecoolnesstolieunderthetrees.Theboysfeltitandstirredrestlessly.
"Youcouldn’thaveabeastie,asnake-thing,onanislandthissize,"Ralphexplainedkindly."Youonlygettheminbigcountries,likeAfrica,orIndia."
Murmur;andthegravenoddingofheads.
"Hesaysthebeastiecameinthedark."
"Thenhecouldn’tseeit!"
Laughterandcheers.
"Didyouhearthat?Sayshesawthethinginthedark—"
"Hestillsayshesawthebeastie.Itcameandwentawayagainan’camebackandwantedtoeathim—"
"Hewasdreaming."
Laughing,Ralphlookedforconfirmationroundtheringoffaces.Theolderboysagreed;buthereandthereamongthelittleoneswasthedoubtthatrequiredmorethanrationalassurance.
"Hemusthavehadanightmare.Stumblingaboutamongallthosecreepers."
Moregravenodding;theyknewaboutnightmares."Hesayshesawthebeastie,thesnake-thing,andwillitcomebacktonight?"
