Марсианские хроники
August 1999: The Earth Men
I’llbeback."
Thesoundofherfeetflutteredthroughthestonehouse.
Outside,theimmenseblueMartianskywashotandstillasawarmdeepseawater.TheMartiandesertlaybroilinglikeaprehistoricmudpot,wavesofheatrisingandshimmering.Therewasasmallrocketshipreclininguponahilltopnearby.Largefootprintscamefromtherockettothedoorofthisstonehouse.
Nowtherewasasoundofquarrelingvoicesupstairs.Themenwithinthedoorstaredatoneanother,shiftingontheirboots,twiddlingtheirfingers,andholdingontotheirhipbelts.Aman’svoiceshoutedupstairs.Thewoman’svoicereplied.AfterfifteenminutestheEarthmenbeganwalkinginandoutthekitchendoor,withnothingtodo.
"Cigarette?"saidoneofthemen.
Somebodygotoutapackandtheylitup.Theypuffedslowstreamsofpalewhitesmoke.Theyadjustedtheiruniforms,fixedtheircollars.Thevoicesupstairscontinuedtomutterandchant.Theleaderofthemenlookedathiswatch.
"Twenty-fiveminutes,"hesaid."Iwonderwhatthey’reuptoupthere."Hewenttoawindowandlookedout.
"Hotday,"saidoneofthemen.
"Yeah,"saidsomeoneelseintheslowwarmtimeofearlyafternoon.Thevoiceshadfadedtoamurmurandwerenowsilent.Therewasnotasoundinthehouse.Allthemencouldhearwastheirownbreathing.
Anhourofsilencepassed."Ihopewedidn’tcauseanytrouble,"saidthecaptain.Hewentandpeeredintothelivingroom.
Mrs.Tttwasthere,wateringsomeflowersthatgrewinthecenteroftheroom.
