День триффидов
World Narrowing
OnadayinthesummerwhichbeganoursixthyearJosellaandIwentdowntothecoasttogether,travelingthereinthehalf-trackedvehiclethatIcustomarilyusednowthattheroadsweregrowingsobad.Itwasaholidayforher.Monthshadpassedsinceshehadbeenoutsidethefence.Thecaresoftheplaceandthebabieshadkeptherfartootiedtomakemorethanafewnecessarytrips,butnowwehadreachedthestagewhereSusancouldsafelybeleftinchargesometimes,andwehadafeelingofreleaseasweclimbedupandranoverthetopsofthehills.Onthelowersouthernslopeswestoppedthecarforawhile,andsatthere.
ItwasaperfectJuneday,withonlyafewlightcloudsfleckingapurebluesky.Thesunshonedownonthebeachesandtheseabeyondjustasbrightlyasithadinthedayswhenthosesamebeacheshadbeencrowdedwithbathersandtheseadottedwithlittleboats.Welookedonitinsilenceforsomeminutes.Josellasaid:
"Don’tyoustillfeelsometimesthatifyouweretocloseyoureyesforabityoumightopenthemagaintofinditallasitwas,Bill?..Ido."
"Notoftennow,"Itoldher."ButI’vehadtoseesomuchmoreofitthanyouhave.Allthesame,sometimes—"
"Andlookatthegulls—justastheyusedtobe!"
"Therearemanymorebirdsthisyear,"Iagreed."I’mgladofthat."
