Марсианские хроники

           "Idon’tthinkyouunderstand—"

           "What?"shesnapped.

           Themangazedatherinsurprise."We’refromEarth!"

           "Ihaven’ttime,"shesaid."I’vealotofcookingtodayandthere’scleaningandsewingandall.YouevidentlywishtoseeMr.Ttt;he’supstairsinhisstudy."

           "Yes,"saidtheEarthManconfusedly,blinking."Byallmeans,letusseeMr.Ttt."

           "He’sbusy."Sheslammedthedooragain.

           Thistimetheknockonthedoorwasmostimpertinentlyloud.

           "Seehere!"criedthemanwhenthedoorwasthrustopenagain.Hejumpedinasiftosurpriseher."Thisisnowaytotreatvisitors!"

           "Allovermycleanfloor!"shecried."Mud!Getout!Ifyoucomeinmyhouse,washyourbootsfirst."

           Themanlookedindismayathismuddyboots,"This,"hesaid,"isnotimefortrivialities.Ithink,"hesaid,"weshouldbecelebrating."Helookedatherforalongtime,asiflookingmightmakeherunderstand.

           "Ifyou’vemademycrystalbunsfallintheoven,"sheexclaimed,"I’llhityouwithapieceofwood!"Shepeeredintoalittlehotoven.Shecameback,red,steamy-faced.Hereyesweresharpyellow,herskinwassoftbrown,shewasthinandquickasaninsect.Hervoicewasmetallicandsharp."Waithere.I’llseeifIcanletyouhaveamomentwithMr.Ttt.Whatwasyourbusiness?"

           Themansworeluridly,asifshe’dhithishandwithahammer."Tellhimwe’refromEarthandit’sneverbeendonebefore!"

           "Whathasn’t?"Sheputherbrownhandup."Nevermind.