День триффидов
The End begins
Eachsecondthere’ssomeoneconsultingitonbirths,deaths,doses,meals,lights,talking,working,sleeping,resting,visiting,dressing,washing-andhithertoithaddecreedthatsomeoneshouldbegintowashandtidymeupatexactlythreeminutesafter7A.M.ThatwasoneofthebestreasonsIhadforappreciatingaprivateroom.Inapublicwardthemessyproceedingwouldhavetakenplaceawholeunnecessaryhourearlier.Buthere,today,clocksofvaryingreliabilitywerecontinuingtostrikeeightinalldirections-andstillnobodyhadshownup.
MuchasIdislikedthespongingprocess,anduselessasithadbeentosuggestthatthehelpofaguidinghandasfarasthebathroomcouldeliminateit,itsfailuretooccurwashighlydisconcerting.Besides,itwasnormallyacloseforerunnerofbreakfast,andIwasfeelinghungry.
ProbablyIwouldhavebeenaggrievedaboutitanymorning,buttoday,thisWednesday,May8,wasanoccasionofparticularpersonalimportance.Iwasdoublyanxioustogetallthefussandroutineoverbecausethiswasthedaytheyweregoingtotakeoffmybandages.
Igropedaroundabittofindthebellpushandletthemhaveafullfiveseconds’clatter,justtoshowwhatIwasthinkingofthem.
WhileIwaswaitingfortheprettyshort-temperedresponsethatsuchapealoughttobring,Iwentonlistening.
Thedayoutside,Irealizednow,wassoundingevenmorewrongthanIhadthought.Thenoisesitmade,orfailedtomake,weremorelikeSundaythanSundayitself-andI’dcomeroundagaintobeingabsolutelyassuredthatitwasWednesday,whateverelsehadhappenedtoit.
