Марсианские хроники

           "No.It’stoohot,andit’slate."

           "Oh."Shefinishedhertaskandmovedtowardthedoor."Well,I’llbebacksoon."

           "Waitaminute!Whereareyougoing?"

           Shewasinthedoorswiftly."OvertoPao’s.Sheinvitedme!"

           "Today?"

           "Ihaven’tseenherinalongtime.It’sonlyalittleway."

           "OverinGreenValley,isn’tit?"

           "Yes,justawalk,notfar,IthoughtI’d—"Shehurried.

           "I’msorry,reallysorry,"hesaid,runningtofetchherback,lookingveryconcernedabouthisforgetfulness."Itslippedmymind.IinvitedDr.Nlleoutthisafternoon."

           "Dr.Nile!"Sheedgedtowardthedoor.

           Hecaughtherelbowanddrewhersteadilyin."Yes."

           "ButPao—"

           "Pancanwait,Ylla.WemustentertainNile."

           "Justforafewminutes—"

           "No,Ylla."

           "No?"

           Heshookhishead."No.Besides,it’saterriblylongwalktoPao’s.AllthewayoverthroughGreenValleyandthenpastthebigcanalanddown,isn’tit?Andit’llbevery,veryhot,andDr.Nilewouldbedelightedtoseeyou.Well?"

           Shedidnotanswer.Shewantedtobreakandrun.Shewantedtocryout.Butsheonlysatinthechair,turningherfingersoverslowly,staringatthemexpressionlessly,trapped.

           "Ylla?"hemurmured."Youwillbehere,won’tyou?"

           "Yes,"shesaidafteralongtime."I’llbehere."

           "Allafternoon?"

           Hervoicewasdull."Allafternoon."

           LateinthedayDr.Nilehadnotputinanappearance.Ylla’shusbanddidnotseemoverlysurprised.