Темная башня: Стрелок

           Whatelse?"Hecackled,andhiseyesmeasuredthegunslingercoldly.

           "Howbigisthedesert?"

           "Big."Kennerlyendeavoredtolookserious."Maybethreehundredmiles.Maybeathousand.Ican’ttellyou,mister.There’snothingouttherebutdevil-grassandmaybedemons.That’sthewaytheotherfellawentTheonewhofixedupNortywhenhewassick."

           "Sick?Iheardhewasdead."

           Kennerlykeptgrinning."Well,well.Maybe.Butwe’regrowed-upmen,ain’twe?"

           "Butyoubelieveindemons."

           Kennerlylookedaffronted."That’salotdifferent."

           Thegunslingertookoffhishatandwipedhisforehead.Thesunwashot,beatingsteadily.Kennerlyseemednottonotice.Inthethinshadowbythelivery,thebabygirlwasgravelysmearingdirtonherface.

           "Youdon’tknowwhat’safterthedesert?"

           Kennerlyshrugged."Somemight.Thecoachranthroughpartofitfiftyyearsago.Mypapsaidso.Heusedtosay’twasmountains.Otherssayanocean...agreenoceanwithmonsters.Andsomesaythat’swheretheworldends.Thatthereain’tnothingbutlightsthat’lldriveamanblindandthefaceofGodwithhismouthopentoeatthemup."

           "Drivel,"thegunslingersaidshortly.

           "Sureitis."Kennerlycriedhappily.Hecringedagain,hating,fearing,wantingtoplease.

           "Youseemymuleislookedafter."HeflickedKennerly

           anothercoin,whichKennerlycaughtonthefly.

           "Surely.Youstayin’alittle?"

           "IguessImight."

           "ThatAllie’sprettynicewhenshewantstobe,ain’tshe?"

           "Didyousaysomething?"Thegunslingeraskedremotely