Мгла
The First Night.
Astrangledsoundcamefromherthroatandsheclappedahandtohermouth.Herglassesreflectedbackthedim,murkylight.
"Billy’scomingback,"Imurmured.
Hewaseatingapeach.HattieTurmanpattedthefloorbesideherandsaidthatwhenhewasdoneshewouldshowhimhowtomakealittlemanoutofthepeachpitandsomethread.Billysmiledatherwanly,andMrs.Turmansmiledback.
At8:00P.M.sixnewmenwentonattheloopholesandOlliecameovertowhereIwassitting."Where’sBilly?"
"WithMrs.Turman,upback,"Isaid."They’redoingcrafts.They’verunthroughpeach-pitmenandshoppingbagmasksandappledollsandnowMr.McVeyisshowinghimhowtomakepipe-cleanermen."
Ollietookalongdrinkofbeerandsaid,"Thingsaremovingaroundoutthere."
Ilookedathimsharply.Helookedbacklevelly.
"I’mnotdrunk,"hesaid."I’vebeentryingbuthaven’tbeenabletomakeit.IwishIcould,David."
"Whatdoyoumean,thingsaremovingaroundoutthere?"
"Ican’tsayforsure.IaskedWalter,andhesaidhehadthesamefeeling,thatpartsofthemistwouldgodarkerforaminute-sometimesjustalittlesmudge,sometimesabigdarkplace,likeabruise.Thenitwouldfadebacktogray.Andthestuffisswirlingaround.EvenArnieSimmssaidhefeltlikesomethingwasgoingonoutthere,andArnie’salmostasblindasabat."
"Whatabouttheothers?"
"They’reallout-of-staters,strangerstome,"Olliesaid."Ididn’taskanyofthem."
"Howsureareyouthatyouweren’tjustseeingthings?"
"Sure,"hesaid.
