Война миров

           Thesentenceendedabruptly. Irememberedmyinabilitytofixmymindthatmorning,scarcelyamonthgoneby,andhowIhadbrokenofftogetmyDailyChroniclefromthenewsboy. IrememberedhowIwentdowntothegardengateashecamealong,andhowIhadlistenedtohisoddstoryof"MenfromMars." 

           Icamedownandwentintothediningroom.Therewerethemuttonandthebread,bothfargonenowindecay,andabeerbottleoverturned,justasIandtheartillerymanhadleftthem. Myhomewasdesolate. IperceivedthefollyofthefainthopeIhadcherishedsolong. Andthenastrangethingoccurred. "Itisnouse,"saidavoice. "Thehouseisdeserted. Noonehasbeenherethesetendays. Donotstayheretotormentyourself. Nooneescapedbutyou." 

           Iwasstartled. HadIspokenmythoughtaloud? Iturned,andtheFrenchwindowwasopenbehindme. Imadeasteptoit,andstoodlookingout. 

           Andthere,amazedandafraid,evenasIstoodamazedandafraid,weremycousinandmywife—mywifewhiteandtearless. Shegaveafaintcry. 

           "Icame,"shesaid."Iknew—knew——" 

           Sheputherhandtoherthroat—swayed. Imadeastepforward,andcaughtherinmyarms.