Вино из одуванчиков

           Cloudsofannihilationloomedandblewawayintheircigarsmokeaboutanervousfigurewhocouldbeseendimlylisteningtothesoundofshovelsandspadesandtheintonationsof"ashestoashes,dusttodust."ThisfigurewasthatofLeoAuffmann,thetownjeweler,who,wideninghislargeliquid-darkeyes,atlastthrewuphischildlikehandsandcriedoutindismay.

           "Stop!InGod’sname,getoutofthatgraveyard!"

           "Lee,howrightyouare,"saidGrandfatherSpaulding,passingonhisnightlystrollwithhisgrandsonsDouglasandTom."But,Lee,onlyyoucanshutthesedoom-talkersup·Inventsomethingthatwillmakethefuturebrighter,wellrounded,infinitelyjoyous.You’veinventedbicycles,fixedthepenny-arcadecontraptions,beenourtownmovieprojectionist,haven’tyou?"

           "Sure,"saidDouglas."inventusahappinessmachine!"

           Themenlaughed.

           "Don’t,"saidLeoAuffmann."Howhaveweusedmachinessofar,tomakepeoplecry?Yes!Everytimemanandthemachinelookliketheywillgetonallright—boom!Someoneaddsacog,airplanesdropbombsonus,carsrunusoffcliffs.Soistheboywrongtoask?No!No..."

           HisvoicefadedasLeoAuffmannmovedtothecurbtotouchhisbicycleasifitwereananimal.

           "WhatcanIlose?"hemurmured."Alittleskinoffmyfingers,afewpoundsofmetal,somesleep?I’lldoit,sohelpme!"

           "Lee,"saidGrandfather,"wedidn’tmean—"