Мгла
The Spell of Mrs. Carmody. The Second Night in the Market. The Final Confrontation.
"Expiation,that’sright!"sheshouteddeliriously."It’sexpiationgonnaclearawaythisfog!Expiationgonnaclearoffthesemonstersandabominations!Expiationgonnadropthescalesofmistfromoureyesandletussee!"Hervoicedroppedanotch."AndwhatdoestheBiblesayexpiationis?WhatistheonlycleanserforsinintheEyeandMindofGod?"
"Blood."
Thistimethechillshudderedupthroughmyentirebody,crestingatthenapeofmyneckandmakingthehairstherestiffen.Mr.McVeyhadspokenthatword,Mr.McVeythebutcherwhohadbeencuttingmeatinBridgtoneversinceIwasakidholdingmyfather’stalentedhand.Mr.McVeytakingordersandcuttingmeatinhisstainedwhites.Mr.McVey,whoseacquaintanceshipwiththeknifewaslong-yes,andwiththesawandcleaveraswell.Mr.McVeywhowouldunderstandbetterthananyoneelsethatthecleanserofthesoulflowsfromthewoundsofthebody.
"Blood..."theywhispered.
"Daddy,I’mscared,"Billysaid.Hewasclutchingmyhandtightly,hissmallfacestrainedandpale.
"Ollie,"Isaid,"whydon’twegetoutofthisloonybin?"
"Righton,"hesaid."Let’sgo."
Westarteddownthesecondaisleinaloosegroup-Ollie,Amanda,Cornell,Mrs.Turman,Mrs.Reppler,Billy,andI.Itwasaquartertofiveinthemorningandthemistwasbeginningtolightenagain.
"YouandCornelltakethegrocerybags,"Olliesaidtome.
"Okay."
"I’llgofirst.YourScoutisafour-door,isit?"
"Yeah.Itis."
"Okay,I’llopenthedriver’sdoorandthebackdooronthesameside.Mrs.
