Повелитель мух
Painted Faces and Long Hair
Percivalfinishedhiswhimperandwentonplaying,forthetearshadwashedthesandaway.Johnnywatchedhimwithchina-blueeyes;thenbegantoflingupsandinashower,andpresentlyPercivalwascryingagain.
WhenHenrytiredofhisplayandwanderedoffalongthebeach,Rogerfollowedhim,keepingbeneaththepalmsanddriftingcasuallyinthesamedirection.Henrywalkedatadistancefromthepalmsandtheshadebecausehewastooyoungtokeephimselfoutofthesun.Hewentdownthebeachandbusiedhimselfatthewater’sedge.ThegreatPacifictidewascominginandeveryfewsecondstherelativelystillwaterofthelagoonheavedforwardsaninch.Therewerecreaturesthatlivedinthislastflingofthesea,tinytransparenciesthatcamequestinginwiththewateroverthehot,drysand.Withimpalpableorgansofsensetheyexaminedthisnewfield.Perhapsfoodhadappearedwhereatthelastincursiontherehadbeennone;birddroppings,insectsperhaps,anyofthestrewndetritusoflandwardlife.Likeamyriadoftinyteethinasaw,thetransparenciescamescavengingoverthebeach.
ThiswasfascinatingtoHenry.Hepokedaboutwithabitofstick,thatitselfwaswave-wornandwhitenedandavagrant,andtriedtocontrolthemotionsofthescavengers.Hemadelittlerunnelsthatthetidefilledandtriedtocrowdthemwithcreatures.Hebecameabsorbedbeyondmerehappinessashefelthimselfexercisingcontroloverlivingthings.Hetalkedtothem,urgingthem,orderingthem.Drivenbackbythetide,hisfootprintsbecamebaysinwhichtheyweretrappedandgavehimtheillusionofmastery.Hesquattedonhishamsatthewater’sedge,bowed,withashockofhairfallingoverhisforeheadandpasthiseyes,andtheafternoonsunemptieddowninvisiblearrows.
