Марсианские хроники

           Theguestrockets,burningtheskyandturningtheweatherfromautumntospringarrived.

           Themensteppedoutineveningclothesandthewomensteppedoutafterthem,theirhaircoiffedupinelaboratedetail.

           "Sothat’sUsher!"

           "Butwhere’sthedoor?"

           AtthismomentStendahlappeared.Thewomenlaughedandchattered.Mr.Stendahlraisedahandtoquietthem.Turning,helookeduptoahighcastlewindowandcalled:

           "Rapunzel,Rapunzel,letdownyourhair."

           Andfromabove,abeautifulmaidenleanedoutuponthenightwindandletdownhergoldenhair.Andthehairtwinedandblewandbecamealadderuponwhichtheguestsmightascend,laughing,intotheHouse.

           Whateminentsociologists!Whatcleverpsychologists!Whattremendouslyimportantpoliticians,bacteriologists,andneurologists!Theretheystood,withinthedankwalls.

           "Welcome,allofyou!"

           Mr.Tryon,Mr.Owen,Mr.Dunne,Mr.Lang,Mr.Steffens,Mr.Fletcher,andadouble-dozenmore.

           "Comein,comein!"

           MissGibbs,MissPope,MissChurchil,MissBlunt,MissDrummond,andascoreofotherwomen,glittering.

           Eminent,eminentpeople,oneandall,membersoftheSocietyforthePreventionofFantasy,advocatorsofthebanishmentofHalloweenandGuyFawkes,killersofbats,burnersofbooks,bearersoftorches;goodcleancitizens,everyone,whohadwaiteduntiltheroughmenhadcomeupandburiedtheMartiansandcleansedthecitiesandbuiltthetownsandrepairedthehighwaysandmadeeverythingsafe.