Мгла
The Spell of Mrs. Carmody. The Second Night in the Market. The Final Confrontation.
"-expiationIt’sexpiationwewanttothinkaboutnow!Wehavebeenscourgedwithwhipsandscorpions!WehavebeenpunishedfordelvingintosecretsforbiddenbyGodofold!Wehaveseenthelipsoftheearthopen!Wehaveseentheobscenitiesofnightmare!Therockwillnothidethem,thedeadtreegivesnoshelter!Andhowwillitend?Whatwillstopit?"
"Expiation!"shoutedgoodoldMyronLaFleur.
"Expiation...expiation..."Theywhisperedituncertainly.
"Letmehearyousayitlikeyoumeanit!"Mrs.Carmodyshouted.Theveinsstoodoutonherneckinbulgingcords.Hervoicewascrackingandhoarsenow,butstillfullofpower.Anditoccurredtomethatitwasthemistthathadgivenherthatpower-thepowertocloudmen’sminds,tomakeaparticularlyaptpun-justasithadtakenawaythesun’spowerfromtherestofus.Before,shehadbeennothingbutamildlyeccentricoldwomanwithanantiquesstoreinatownthatwaslousywithantiquesstores.Nothingbutanoldwomanwithafewstuffedanimalsinthebackroomandareputationfor(thatwitch...thatcunt)folkmedicine.Itwassaidshecouldfindwaterwithanapplewoodstick,thatshecouldcharmwarts,andsellyouacreamthatwouldfadefrecklestoshadowsoftheirformerselves.Ihadevenheard-wasitfromoldBillGiosti?-thatMrs.Carmodycouldbeseen(intotalconfidence)aboutyourlovelife;thatifyouwerehavingthebedroommiseries,shecouldgiveyouadrinkthatwouldputtherambackinyourrod.
"EXPIATION!"theyallcriedtogether.
