День триффидов
Journey in Hope
Thescarletslashofthestingwasvividonhispalecheek.Itmusthavehappenedsomehoursbefore.Shekneltbesidehim.
"Itisn’tanygood,"Itoldhergently.Shelookedup,freshtearsinhereyes."IsTommydeadtoo?"
Isquatteddownbesideherandshookmyhead."I’mafraidheis."
Afterawhileshesaid:
"PoorTommy!willweburyhim—likethepuppies?"
"Yes,"Itoldher.
Inalltheoverwhelmingdisaster,thatwastheonlygraveIdug—anditwasaverysmallone.Shegatheredalittlebunchofflowersandlaidthemontopofit.Thenwedroveaway.
Susanwashername.Alongtimeago,asitseemedtoher,somethinghadhappenedtoherfatherandmothersothattheycouldnotsee.Herfatherhadgoneouttotrytogetsomehelp,andhehadnotcomeback.Hermotherwentoutlater,leavingthechildrenwithstrictinstructionsnottoleavethehouse.Shehadcomebackcrying.Thenextdayshewentoutagain:thistimeshedidnotcomeback.Thechildrenhadeatenwhattheycouldfind,andthenbegantogrowhungry.AtlastSusanwashungryenoughtodisobeyinstructionsandseekhelpfromMrs.Waltonattheshop.Theshopitselfwasopen,butMrs.Waltonwasnotthere.NoonecamewhenSusancalled,soshehaddecidedtotakesomecakesandbiscuitsandcandiesandtellMrs.Waltonaboutitlater.
Shehadseensomeofthethingsaboutasshecameback.Oneofthemhadstruckather,butithadmisjudgedherheight,andthestingpassedoverherhead.Itfrightenedher,andsherantherestofthewayhome.
