Марсианские хроники

           Joewentaroundsayingshewasn’tdead,thatwasn’treallyherbody.GuesshewasrightTonightLaviniashowedup."

           "Where?"LaFargefelthisbreathcomeswiftly,hisheartpounding.

           "OnMainStreet.TheSpauldingswerebuyingticketsforashow.Andthere,allofasudden,inthecrowd,wasLavinia.Musthavebeenquiteascene.Shedidn’tknowthemfirstoff.Theyfollowedherhalfdownastreetandspoketoher.Thensheremembered."

           "Didyouseeher?"

           "No,butIheardhersinging.Rememberhowsheusedtosing«TheBonnieBanksofLochLomond»?Iheardhertrillingoutforherfatherawhileagooverthereintheirhouse.Itwasgoodtohear;hersuchabeautifulgirl.Ashame,Ithought,herdead;andnowwithherbackagainit’sfine.Herenow,youlookweakyourself.Bettercomeinforaspotofwhisky…"

           "Thanks,no,Mike."Theoldmanmovedaway.HeheardMikesaygoodnightanddidnotanswer,butfixedhiseyesuponthetwo-storybuildingwhereramblingclustersofcrimsonMartianflowerslayuponthehighcrystalroof.Aroundback,abovethegarden,wasatwistedironbalcony,andthewindowsabovewerelighted.Itwasverylate,andstillhethoughttohimself:WhatwillhappentoAnnaifIdon’tbringTomhomewithme?Thissecondshock,thisseconddeath,whatwillitdotoher?Willsherememberthefirstdeath,too,andthisdream,andthesuddenvanishing?OhGod,I’vegottofindTom,orwhatwillcomeofAnna?PoorAnna,waitingthereatthelanding.Hepausedandliftedhishead.