Мгла
Further Discussion. Mrs. Carmody. Fortifications. What Happened to the Flat- Earth Society.
"IsStephaniehere,David?"sheasked.
"No.Athome."
Shenodded."Alan,too.Howlongareyouonwatchhere?"
"Untilsix."
"Haveyouseenanything?"
"No.Justthemist."
"I’llkeepBillyuntilsix,ifyoulike."
"Wouldyoulikethat,Billy?"
"Yes,please,"hesaid,swingingtheflashlightabovehisheadinslowarcsandwatchingitplayacrosstheceiling.
"GodwillkeepyourSteffy,andAlan,too,"Mrs.Turmansaid,andledBillyawaybythehand.Shespokewithserenesureness,buttherewasnoconvictioninhereyes.
Aroundfive-thirtythesoundsofexcitedargumentrosenearthebackofthestore.Someonejeeredatsomethingsomeoneelsehadsaid,andsomeone-itwasBuddyEagleton,Ithink-shouted,"You’recrazyifyougooutthere!"
Severaloftheflashlightbeamspooledtogetheratthecenterofthecontroversy,andtheymovedtowardthefrontofthestore.Mrs.Carmody’sshrieking,derisivelaughsplitthegloom,asabrasiveasfingersdrawndownaslateblackboard.
AbovethebabbleofvoicescametheboomofNorton’scourtroomtenor:"Letuspass,please!Letuspass!"
Themanattheloopholenexttominelefthisplacetoseewhattheshoutingwasabout.IdecidedtostaywhereIwas.Whatevertheconcatenationwas,itwascomingmyway.
"Please,"MikeHatlenwassaying."Please,let’stalkthisthingthrough."
"Thereisnothingtotalkabout,"Nortonproclaimed.Nowhisfaceswamoutofthegloom.Itwasdeterminedandhaggardandwhollywretched.HewasholdingoneofthetwoflashlightsallocatedtotheFlat-Earthers.
