Марсианские хроники

           Thisisnotthefirsttimehehasbeenthisthoughtlessofme.Stopwavingyourhands,sir,untilIfinish.Andpayattention.PeopleusuallylistentomewhenItalk.Andyou’lllistencourteouslyorIwon’ttalkatall."

           Uneasilythefourmeninthecourtshiftedandopenedtheirmouths,andoncethecaptain,theveinsonhisfacebulging,showedafewlittletearsinhiseyes.

           "Now,"lecturedMr.Aaa,"doyouthinkitfairofMr.Ttttobesoill-mannered?"

           Thefourmengazedupthroughtheheat.Thecaptainsaid,"We’refromEarth!"

           "Ithinkitveryungentlemanlyofhim,"broodedMr.Aaa.

           "Arocketship.Wecameinit.Overthere!"

           "NotthefirsttimeTtt’sbeenunreasonable,youknow."

           "AllthewayfromEarth."

           "Why,forhalfamind,I’dcallhimupandtellhimoff."

           "Justthefourofus;myselfandthesethreemen,mycrew."

           "I’llcallhimup,yes,that’swhatI’lldo!"

           "Earth.Rocket.Men.Trip.Space."

           "Callhimandgivehimagoodlashing!"criedMr.Aaa.Hevanishedlikeapuppetfromastage.Foraminutetherewereangryvoicesbackandforthoversomeweirdmechanismorother.Below,thecaptainandhiscrewglancedlonginglybackattheirprettyrocketshiplyingonthehillside,sosweetandlovelyandfine.

           Mr.Aaajerkedupinthewindow,wildlytriumphant"Challengedhimtoaduel,bythegods!Aduel!"

           "Mr.Aaa—"thecaptainstartedalloveragain,quietly.

           "I’llshoothimdead,doyouhear!"

           "Mr.Aaa,I’dliketotellyou.Wecamesixtymillionmiles."

           Mr.