Марсианские хроники

           Howdoweknowtherewasn’tanotherbeforethatone?"

           "Agoodquestion,"saidthecaptain.

           Lustigkeptsmilingathisgrandparents."Gosh,it’sgoodtoseeyou.Gosh,it’sgood."

           Thecaptainstoodupandslappedhishandonhisleginacasualfashion."We’vegottobegoing.Thankyouforthedrinks."

           "You’llbeback,ofcourse,"saidtheoldpeople."Forsuppertonight?"

           "We’lltrytomakeit,thanks.There’ssomuchtobedone.Mymenarewaitingformebackattherocketand—"

           Hestopped.Helookedtowardthedoor,startled.

           Farawayinthesunlighttherewasasoundofvoices,ashoutingandagreathello.

           "What’sthat?"askedHinkston,

           "We’llsoonfindout."AndCaptainJohnBlackwasoutthefrontdoorabruptly,runningacrossthegreenlawnintothestreetoftheMartiantown.

           Hestoodlookingattherocket.Theportswereopenandhiscrewwasstreamingout,wavingtheirhands.Acrowdofpeoplehadgathered,andinandthroughandamongthesepeoplethemembersofthecrewwerehurrying,talking,laughing,shakinghands.Peopledidlittledances.Peopleswarmed.Therocketlayemptyandabandoned.

           Abrassbandexplodedinthesunlight,flingingoffagaytunefromupraisedtubasandtrumpets.Therewasabangofdrumsandashrilloffifes.Littlegirlswithgoldenhairjumpedupanddown.Littleboysshouted,"Hooray!"Fatmenpassedaroundten-centcigars.Thetownmayormadeaspeech.