Первые люди на Луне
Chapter 1 — Mr. Bedford Meets Mr. Cavor at Lympne
Ihadacoffee-pot,asauce-panforeggs,andoneforpotatoes,andafrying-panforsausagesandbacon—suchwasthesimpleapparatusofmycomfort.Onecannotalwaysbemagnificent,butsimplicityisalwaysapossiblealternative.FortherestIlaidinaneighteen-galloncaskofbeeroncredit,andatrustfulbakercameeachday.Itwasnot,perhaps,inthestyleofSybaris,butIhavehadworsetimes.Iwasalittlesorryforthebaker,whowasaverydecentmanindeed,butevenforhimIhoped.
Certainlyifanyonewantssolitude,theplaceisLympne.ItisintheclaypartofKent,andmybungalowstoodontheedgeofanoldseacliffandstaredacrosstheflatsofRomneyMarshatthesea.Inverywetweathertheplaceisalmostinaccessible,andIhaveheardthatattimesthepostmanusedtotraversethemoresucculentportionsofhisroutewithboardsuponhisfeet.Ineversawhimdoingso,butIcanquiteimagineit.Outsidethedoorsofthefewcottagesandhousesthatmakeupthepresentvillagebigbirchbesomsarestuck,towipeofftheworstoftheclay,whichwillgivesomeideaofthetextureofthedistrict.Idoubtiftheplacewouldbethereatall,ifitwerenotafadingmemoryofthingsgoneforever.ItwasthebigportofEnglandinRomantimes,PortusLemanis,andnowtheseaisfourmilesaway.AlldownthesteephillarebouldersandmassesofRomanbrickwork,andfromitoldWatlingStreet,stillpavedinplaces,startslikeanarrowtothenorth.
