День триффидов

           Theyhadmoredifficultcountrytoworkwith,though,andtheyneverdidsucceedinclearingthemoutcompletely.Thefencewasfairlysuccessfultobeginwith,buttheynevercoulddependonitaswecouldtrusttothesea,andtoomuchoftheirmanpowerhadtobewastedonpatrols.

           "Cokerthinkstheymighthavemadeoutallrightoncethechildrenhadgrownoldenoughtowork,butitwouldhavebeentoughgoingallthetime.WhenIdidfindthem,theyhadn’tmuchhesitationaboutcomingalong.Theysetaboutloadinguptheirfishingboatsrightaway,andtheywereallontheislandinacoupleofweeks.WhenCokerfoundyouweren’twithus,hesuggestedyoumightstillbesomewhereintheseparts."

           "Youcantellhimthatwipesoutanybardfeelingsabouthim,"saidJosella.

           "He’sgoingtobeaveryusefulman,"Ivansaid."Andfromwhathetellsus,youcouldbetoo,"headded,lookingatme."You’reabiochemist,aren’tyou?"

           "Abiologist,"Isaid.

           "Well,youcanholdontoyourfinedistinctions.Thepointis,Michaelhastriedtogetsomeresearchgoingintoamethodofknockingofftriffidsscientifically.Thathastobefoundifwearegoingtogetanywhereatall.Butthetroublesofaristhattheonlypeoplewehavetoworkonitareafewwhohaveforgottenmostofthebiologytheylearnedatschool.Whatdoyouthink—liketoturnprofessor?It’dbeaworth-whilejob."

           "Ican’tthinkofonethatwouldbemoreworthwhile,"Itoldhim.

           "Doesthismeanyou’reinvitingusalltoyourislandhaven?"Dennisasked.