Марсианские хроники

           Theneachmemberofthecrew,withamotherononearm,afatherorsisterontheother,wasspiritedoffdownthestreetintolittlecottagesorbigmansions.

           "Stop!"criedCaptainBlack.

           Thedoorsslammedshut.

           Theheatroseintheclearspringsky,andallwassilent.Thebrassbandbangedoffaroundacorner,leavingtherockettoshineanddazzlealoneinthesunlight

           "Abandoned!"saidthecaptain."Theyabandonedtheship,theydid!I’llhavetheirskins,byGod!Theyhadorders!"

           "Sir,"saidLustig,"don’tbetoohardonthem.Thosewerealloldrelativesandfriends."

           "That’snoexuse!"

           "Thinkhowtheyfelt,Captain,seeingfamiliarfacesoutsidetheship!"

           "Theyhadtheirorders,damnit!"

           "Buthowwouldyouhavefelt,Captain?"

           "Iwouldhaveobeyedorders—"Thecaptain’smouthremainedopen.

           StridingalongthesidewalkundertheMartiansun,tall,smiling,eyesamazinglyclearandblue,cameayoungmanofsometwenty-sixyears."John!"themancalledout,andbrokeintoatrot.

           "What?"CaptainJohnBlackswayed.

           "John,youoldsonofabitch!"

           Themanranupandgrippedhishandandslappedhimontheback.

           "It’syou,"saidCaptainBlack.

           "Ofcourse,who’dyouthinkitwas?"

           "Edward!"ThecaptainappealednowtoLustigandHinkston,holdingthestranger’shand."ThisismybrotherEdward.Ed,meetmymen,Lustig,Hinkston!Mybrother!"

           Theytuggedateachother’shandsandarmsandthenfinallyembraced.