Марсианские хроники

           "Yes,"saidhiswife.

           "Ihatedlikehelltoseehimtakeoutthatweapon."

           "Whatweapon?"

           "Well,Ithoughtitwasone!I’msorry,I’msorry!HowmanytimesdoIsayit!"

           "Ssh,"saidElma,puttingonefingertoherlips."Ssh."

           "Idon’tcare,"hesaid."IgotthewholeEarthSettlements,Inc.,backofme!"Hesnorted."TheseMartianswon’tdare—"

           "Look,"saidElma.

           Helookedoutontothedeadseabottom.Hedroppedhisbroom.Hepickeditupandhismouthwasopen,alittlefreedropofsalivaflewontheair,andhewassuddenlyshivering.

           "Elma,Elma,Elma!"hesaid.

           "Heretheycome,"saidElma.

           Acrosstheancientseaflooradozentall,blue-sailedMartiansandshipsfloated,likeblueghosts,likebluesmoke.

           "Sandships!Buttherearen’tanymore,Elma,nomoresandships."

           "Thoseseemtobesandships,"shesaid.

           "Buttheauthoritiesconfiscatedallofthem!Theybrokethemup,soldsomeatauction!I’mtheonlyoneinthiswholedamnterritory’sgotoneandknowshowtorunone."

           "Notanymore,"shesaid,noddingatthesea.

           "Comeon,let’sgetoutofhere!"

           "Why?"sheaskedslowly,fascinatedwiththeMartianvessels.

           "They’llkillme!Getinourtruck,quick!"

           Elmadidn’tmove.