Первые люди на Луне
Chapter 16 — Points of View
Thinkofawetroofatsunset,Cavor!Thinkofthewindowsofawestwardhouse!”Hemadenoanswer.
“Hereweareburrowinginthisbeastlyworldthatisn’taworld,withitsinkyoceanhiddeninsomeabominableblacknessbelow,andoutsidethattorriddayandthatdeathstillnessofnight.Andallthesethingsthatarechasingusnow,beastlymenofleather—insectmen,thatcomeoutofanightmare!Afterall,they’reright!Whatbusinesshaveweheresmashingthemanddisturbingtheirworld!Forallweknowthewholeplanetisupandafterusalready.Inaminutewemayhearthemwhimpering,andtheirgongsgoing.Whatarewetodo?Wherearewetogo?HereweareascomfortableassnakesfromJamrach’slooseinaSurbitonvilla!”
“Itwasyourfault,”saidCavor.
“Myfault!”Ishouted.“GoodLord!”
“Ihadanidea!”
“Curseyourideas!”
“Ifwehadrefusedtobudge—”
“Underthosegoads?”
“Yes.Theywouldhavecarriedus!”
“Overthatbridge?”
“Yes.Theymusthavecarriedusfromoutside.”
“I’dratherbecarriedbyaflyacrossaceiling.”
“GoodHeavens!”
Iresumedmydestructionofthefungi.ThensuddenlyIsawsomethingthatstruckmeeventhen.“Cavor,”Isaid,“thesechainsareofgold!”
Hewasthinkingintently,withhishandsgrippinghischeeks.Heturnedhisheadslowlyandstaredatme,andwhenIhadrepeatedmywords,atthetwistedchainabouthisrighthand.“Sotheyare,”hesaid,“sotheyare.”Hisfacelostitstransitoryinterestevenashelooked.Hehesitatedforamoment,thenwentonwithhisinterruptedmeditation.
