День триффидов
Shirning
Outsideithadbecomespick.Theyardsandshedshadasuburbanratherthanaruraltidinessandhadforyearsknownnoformofanimalliferougherthanafewridinghorsesandponies.Thefarmyardshowednoutilitariansightsandgaveforthnorusticsmells;ithadbeenlaidoverwithclosegreenturflikeabowlinggreen.Thefieldsacrosswhichthewindowsofthehousegazedfrombeneathweatheredredtileshadlongbeenworkedbytheoccupiersofotherandmoreearthyfarmhouses.Buttheshedsandbarnsremainedingoodcondition.
Withitsownwellanditsownpowerplant,theplacehadplentytorecommendit—butasIlookeditoverIunderstoodCoker’swisdominspeakingofco—operativeeffort.Iknewnothingoffarming,butIcouldfeelthatifwehadintendedtostaythereitwouldtakealotofworktofeedsixofus.
TheotherthreehadbeentherealreadywhenJosellahadarrived.TherewereDennisandMaryBrent,andJoyceTaylor.Denniswastheownerofthehouse.Joycehadbeenthereonanindefinitevisit,atfirsttokeepMarycompanyandthentokeepthehouserunningwhenMary’sexpectedbabyshouldbeborn.
Onthenightofthegreenflashes—ofthecometyouwouldsayIfyouwereonewhostillbelievesinthatcomet—therehadbeentwootherguests,JoanandTedDanton,spendingaweek’sholidaythere.AllfiveofthemhadgoneOutintothegardentowatchthedisplay.Inthemorningallfiveawoketoaworldthatwasperpetuallydark.
