Марсианские хроники
August 1999: The Earth Men
"Doyoubelieveme?"
"Yes."Thelittlegirlpeepedatthewayshewaswigglinghertoesinthedust.
"Fine."Thecaptainpinchedherarm,alittlebitwithjoviality,alittlebitwithmeannesstogethertolookathim."Webuiltourownrocketship.Doyoubelievethat?"
Thelittlegirlduginhernosewithafinger."Yes."
"And—takeyourfingeroutofyournose,littlegirl—Iamthecaptain,and—"
"Neverbeforeinhistoryhasanybodycomeacrossspaceinabigrocketship,"recitedthelittlecreature,eyesshut.
"Wonderful!Howdidyouknow?"
"Oh,telepathy."Shewipedacasualfingeronherknee.
"Well,aren’tyoujusteversoexcited?"criedthecaptain."Aren’tyouglad?"
"YoujustbettergoseeMr.Iiirightaway."Shedroppedhertoytotheground."Mr.Iiiwillliketalkingtoyou."Sheranoff,withthetoyspiderscuttlingobedientlyafterher.
Thecaptainsquattedtherelookingafterherwithhishandout.Hiseyeswerewateryinhishead.Helookedathisemptyhands.Hismouthhungopen:Theotherthreemenstoodwiththeirshadowsunderthem.Theyspatonthestonestreet…
Mr.Iiiansweredhisdoor.Hewasonhiswaytoalecture,buthehadaminute,iftheywouldhurryinsideandtellhimwhattheydesired…
"Alittleattention,"saidthecaptain,red-eyedandtired."We’refromEarth,wehavearocket,therearefourofus,crewandcaptain,we’reexhausted,we’rehungry,we’dlikeaplacetosleep.
