День триффидов
Frustration
Wereckonedthatthemascouldsee‘udbethefirstalong,onaccountoftherebein’abito’lightstillfromthemoon.Andsureenoughtheywas.Cokeran’anotherchapwasgivin’themthek.o.astheytripped,an’passin’themalongtosomeofuschapstocarryouttothetruck.Simpleaskissyour‘and."
"H’m,"Isaidruefully."Soundsefficient,thatCoker.Howmanyofusmugsfellintothatlittletrap?"
"I’dsaywegotacoupleofdozen—thoughitturnedoutasfiveorsixof‘emwasblinded.Whenwe’dloadedupaboutallwe’droomforinthetruck,webeatitan’lefttheresttosorttheirselvesout."
WhateverviewCokertookofus,itwasclearthatAlfboreusnoanimosity.Heappearedtoregardthewholeaffairasabitofsport.Ifounditalittletoopainfultoclassitso,butImentallyraisedmyhattoAll.I’daprettygoodideathatinhispositionI’dbelackingthespirittothinkofanythingasabitofsport.Ifinishedtheteaandacceptedanothercigarettefromhim.
"Andwhat’stheprogramnow?"Iaskedhim.
"Coker’sideaistomakeusallupintoparties,an’putoneofyouwitheachparty.Youtolookafterthescrounging,andkindofactastheeyesoftherest,like.Yourjob’llbetohelpuskeepgoin’untilsomebodycomesalongtostraightenthisperishin’lotout."
"Isee,"Isaid.
Hecockedhisheadtowardme.Thereweren’tanyfliesonAif.HehadcaughtmoreinmytonethanIhadrealizedwasthere.
"Youreckonthat’sgoin’tobealongtime?"hesaid.
