Марсианские хроники

           "It’saterriblenight.Ifeelsoold,"shesaid,sobbing.

           "Hush,hush,"hegentledher,andheldherinhisarms."Gotosleep."

           Afteralongwhilesheslept.

           Andthen,veryquietly,ashelistened,heheardthefrontdooropen,therainandwindcomein,thedoorshut.Heheardsoftfootstepsonthehearthandagentlebreathing."Tom,"hesaidtohimself,

           Lightningstruckintheskyandbroketheblacknessapart.

           Inthemorningthesunwasveryhot.

           Mr.LaFargeopenedthedoorintothelivingroomandglancedallabout,quickly.

           Thehearthrugswereempty.

           LaFargesighed."I’mgettingold,"hesaid.

           Hewentouttowalktothecanaltofetchabucketofclearwatertowashin.AtthefrontdoorhealmostknockedyoungTomdowncarryinginabucketalreadyfilledtothebrim."Goodmorning,Father!"

           "MorningTom."Theoldmanfellaside.Theyoungboy,barefooted,hurriedacrosstheroom,setthebucketdown,andturned,smiling."It’safineday!"

           "Yes,itis,"saidtheoldmanincredulously.Theboyactedasifnothingwasunusual.Hebegantowashhisfacewiththewater.

           Theoldmanmovedforward."Tom,howdidyougethere?You’realive?"

           "Shouldn’tIbe?"Theboyglancedup.

           "But,Tom,GreenLawnPark,everySunday,theflowersand…"LaFargehadtositdown.Theboycameandstoodbeforehimandtookhishand.Theoldmanfeltofthefingers,warmandfirm."You’rereallyhere,it’snotadream?"

           "Youdowantmetobehere,don’tyou?"Theboyseemedworried.