Первые люди на Луне
Chapter 1 — Mr. Bedford Meets Mr. Cavor at Lympne
Iusedtostandonthehillandthinkofitall,thegalleysandlegions,thecaptivesandofficials,thewomenandtraders,thespeculatorslikemyself,alltheswarmandtumultthatcameclankinginandoutoftheharbour.Andnowjustafewlumpsofrubbleonagrassyslope,andasheeportwo—andI.Andwheretheporthadbeenwerethelevelsofthemarsh,sweepingroundinabroadcurvetodistantDungeness,anddottedhereandtherewithtreeclumpsandthechurchtowersofoldmediævaltownsthatarefollowingLemanisnowtowardsextinction.
Thatoutlookonthemarshwas,indeed,oneofthefinestviewsIhaveeverseen.IsupposeDungenesswasfifteenmilesaway;itlaylikearaftonthesea,andfartherwestwardwerethehillsbyHastingsunderthesettingsun.Sometimestheyhungcloseandclear,sometimestheywerefadedandlow,andoftenthedriftoftheweathertookthemcleanoutofsight.Andallthenearerpartsofthemarshwerelacedandlitbyditchesandcanals.
ThewindowatwhichIworkedlookedovertheskylineofthiscrest,anditwasfromthiswindowthatIfirstseteyesonCavor.ItwasjustasIwasstrugglingwithmyscenario,holdingdownmymindtothesheerhardworkofit,andnaturallyenoughhearrestedmyattention.
Thesunhadset,theskywasavividtranquillityofgreenandyellow,andagainstthathecameoutblack—theoddestlittlefigure.
Hewasashort,round-bodied,thin-leggedlittleman,withajerkyqualityinhismotions;hehadseenfittoclothehisextraordinarymindinacricketcap,anovercoat,andcyclingknickerbockersandstockings.
