Вино из одуванчиков

           Ifwe’reluckywe’llhitforty,forty-five,fifty,That’sjustajogaroundtheblocktothem.It’swhenyouhitninety,ninety-five,ahundred,thatyou’refar-travelinglikeheck."

           Theflashlightwentout.

           Theylaythereinthemoonlight.

           "Tom,"whisperedDouglas."Igottotravelallthoseways.SeewhatIcansee.ButmostofallIgottovisitColonelFreeleighonce,twice,threetimesaweek.He’sbetterthanalltheothermachines.Hetalks,youlisten.Andthemorehetalksthemorehegetsyoutopeeringaroundandnoticingthings.Hetellsyouyou’reridingonaveryspecialtrain,bygosh,andsureenough,it’shue.He’sbeendownthetrack,andknows.Andnowherewecome,youandme,alongthesametrack,butfurtheron,andsomuchlookingandsnuffingandhandlingthingstodo,youneedoldColonelFreeleightoshoveandsaylookalivesoyouremembereverysecond!Everydarnthingthereistoremember!Sowhenkidscomearoundwhenyou’rerealold,youcandoforthemwhatthecoloneloncedidforyou.That’sthewayitis,Tom,IgottospendalotoftimevisitinghimandlisteningsoIcangofar-travelingwithhimasoftenashecan."

           Tomwassilentamoment.ThenhelookedoveratDouglasthereinthedark.

           "Far-traveling.Youmakethatup?"

           "Maybeyesandmaybeno.""Far-traveling-"whisperedTom.

           "OnlyonethingI’msureof,"saidDouglas,closinghiseyes."Itsuresoundslonely."

           Bang!

           Adoorslammed.Inanatticdustjumpedoffbureausandbookcases.