Марсианские хроники

           Wilderwaitedforalongtime.ThenhearoseandwalkedawayfromthestunnedgrouparoundHathaway.HewenttoAliceHathaway,lookedintoherface,andsaid,"Doyouknowwhathasjusthappened?"

           "Somethingaboutmyhusband?"

           "He’sjustpassedaway;hisheart,"saidWilder,watchingher.

           "I’msorry,"shesaid.

           "Howdoyoufeel?"heasked.

           "Hedidn’twantustofeelbadly.Hetoldusitwouldhappenonedayandhedidn’twantustocry.Hedidn’tteachushow,youknow.Hedidn’twantustoknow.Hesaiditwastheworstthingthatcouldhappentoamantoknowhowtobelonelyandknowhowtobesadandthentocry.Sowe’renottoknowwhatcryingis,orbeingsad."

           Wilderglancedatherhands,thesoftwarmhandsandthefinemanicurednailsandthetaperedwrists.Hesawherslender,smoothwhiteneckandherintelligenteyes.Finallyhesaid,"Mr.Hathawaydidafinejobonyouandyourchildren."

           "Hewouldhavelikedtohearyousaythat.Hewassoproudofus.Afterawhileheevenforgotthathehadmadeus.Attheendhelovedandtookusashisrealwifeandchildren.And,inaway,weare."

           "Yougavehimagooddealofcomfort."

           "Yes,foryearsonendwesatandtalked.Hesomuchlovedtotalk.Helikedthestonehutandtheopenfire.Wecouldhavelivedinaregularhouseinthetown,buthelikedituphere,wherehecouldbeprimitiveifheliked,ormodernifheliked.Hetoldmeallabouthislaboratoryandthethingshedidinit.HewiredtheentiredeadAmericantownbelowwithsoundspeakers.