Повелитель мух
Huts on the Beach
"Noticedwhat?"
"Well.They’refrightened."
HerolledoverandpeeredintoJack’sfierce,dirtyface.
"Imeanthewaythingsare.Theydream.Youcanhear’em.Haveyoubeenawakeatnight?"
Jackshookhishead.
"Theytalkandscream.Thelittluns.Evensomeoftheothers.Asif—"
"Asifitwasn’tagoodisland."
Astonishedattheinterruption,theylookedupatSimon’sseriousface.
"Asif,"saidSimon,"thebeastie,thebeastieorthesnake-thing,wasreal.Remember?"
Thetwoolderboysflinchedwhentheyheardtheshamefulsyllable.Snakeswerenotmentionednow,werenotmentionable.
"Asifthiswasn’tagoodisland,"saidRalphslowly."Yes,that’sright."
Jacksatupandstretchedouthislegs.
"They’rebatty."
"Crackers.Rememberwhenwewentexploring?"Theygrinnedateachother,rememberingtheglamourofthefirstday.Ralphwenton.
