Марсианские хроники
February 1999: Ylla
"Voicebedamned!"Hebentstifflyoverher."Andinthisdream"—heseizedherwrist—"didn’ttheshiplandoverinGreenValley,didn’tit?Answerme!"
"Why,yes—"
"Anditlandedthisafternoon,didn’tit?"hekeptather.
"Yes,yes,Ithinkso,yes,butonlyinadream!"
"Well"—heflungherhandawaystiffly—"it’sgoodyou’retruthful!Iheardeverywordyousaidinyoursleep.Youmentionedthevalleyandthetime."Breathinghard,hewalkedbetweenthepillarslikeamanblindedbyalightningbolt.Slowlyhisbreathreturned.Shewatchedhimasifhewerequiteinsane.Shearosefinallyandwenttohim."Yll,"shewhispered.
"I’mallright."
"You’resick."
"No."Heforcedatiredsmile."Justchildish.Forgiveme,darling."Hegaveheraroughpat."Toomuchworklately.I’msorry.IthinkI’llliedownawhile—"
"Youweresoexcited."
"I’mallrightnow.Fine."Heexhaled."Let’sforgetit.Say,IheardajokeaboutUelyesterday,Imeanttotellyou.Whatdoyousayyoufixbreakfast,I’lltellthejoke,andlet’snottalkaboutallthis."
"Itwasonlyadream."
"Ofcourse,"Hekissedhercheekmechanically."Onlyadream."
Atnoonthesunwashighandhotandthehillsshimmeredinthelight.
"Aren’tyougoingtotown?"askedYlla.
"Town?"heraisedhisbrowsfaintly.
"Thisisthedayyoualwaysgo."Sheadjustedaflowercageonitspedestal.Theflowersstirred,openingtheirhungryyellowmouths.
Heclosedhisbook.
