Марсианские хроники

           Whatitis—asurprise?Aretherocketscomingthroughearlierthanwethought,amonthearlierfromEarth?Alltenthousandrockets,bringingthesettlers,theminers,theworkersandtheirwives,allhundredthousandofthem?Won’tthatbeswell,Elma?Yousee,Itoldyou.Itoldyou,thattowntherewon’talwayshavejustonethousandpeopleinit.There’llbefiftythousandmorecoming,andthemonthafterthatahundredthousandmore,andbytheendoftheyearfivemillionEarthMen.Andmewiththeonlyhot-dogstandstakedoutonthebusiesthighwaytothemines!"

           Themaskfloatedonthewind."Weleaveyou.Prepare.Thelandisyours."

           Intheblowingmoonlight,likemetalpetalsofsomeancientflower,likeblueplumes,likecobaltbutterfliesimmenseandquiet,theoldshipsturnedandmovedovertheshiftingsands,themasksbeamingandglittering,untilthelastshine,thelastbluecolor,waslostamongthehills.

           "Elma,whydidtheydoit?Whydidn’ttheykillme?Don’ttheyknowanything?What’swrongwiththem?Elma,doyouunderstand?"Heshookhershoulder."IownhalfofMars!"

           Shewatchedthenightsky,waiting.

           "Comeon,"hesaid."We’vegottogettheplacefixed.Allthehotdogsboiling,thebunswarm,thechilicooking,theonionspeeledanddiced,therelishlaidout,thenapkinsinthedips,theplacespotless!Hey!"Hedidalittlewilddance,kickinghisheels."Ohboy,I’mhappy;yes,sir,I’mhappy,"hesangoffkey.