Первые люди на Луне
Chapter 14 — Experiments in intercourse
Itwasacoldbluelight,asortofphosphorescentglowbutinfinitelybrighter,andfromthetanksintowhichitfellitraninconduitsathwartthecavern.
Thud,thud,thud,thud,camethesweepingarmsofthisunintelligibleapparatus,andthelightsubstancehissedandpoured.Atfirstthethingseemedonlyreasonablylargeandneartous,andthenIsawhowexceedinglylittletheSelenitesuponitseemed,andIrealisedthefullimmensityofcavernandmachine.IlookedfromthistremendousaffairtothefacesoftheSeleniteswithanewrespect.Istopped,andCavorstopped,andstaredatthisthunderousengine.
“Butthisisstupendous!”Isaid.“Whatcanitbefor?”
Cavor’sblue-litfacewasfullofanintelligentrespect.“Ican’tdream!Surelythesebeings—Mencouldnotmakeathinglikethat!Lookatthosearms,aretheyonconnectingrods?”
Thethick-setSelenitehadgonesomepacesunheeded.Hecamebackandstoodbetweenusandthegreatmachine.Iavoidedseeinghim,becauseIguessedsomehowthathisideawastobeckonusonward.Hewalkedawayinthedirectionhewishedustogo,andturnedandcameback,andflickedourfacestoattractourattention.
CavorandIlookedatoneanother.
“Cannotweshowhimweareinterestedinthemachine?”Isaid.
“Yes,”saidCavor.“We’lltrythat.”Heturnedtoourguideandsmiled,andpointedtothemachine,andpointedagain,andthentohishead,andthentothemachine.BysomedefectofreasoningheseemedtoimaginethatbrokenEnglishmighthelpthesegestures.“Melook‘im,”hesaid,“methink‘imverymuch.Yes.”
