День триффидов
Shadows Before
WhilehewassteadyinghimselffromthatIstoopedswiftlyandcutthecordwhichjoinedthem.Aslightshoveontheman’schestsenthimstaggeringbackandhalfturnedhimsothathelosthisbearings.Withhisfreedlefthandheletoutafinerakingswing.Itmissedme,butultimatelyreachedthebrickwall.Afterthathelostinterestinprettywelleverythingbutthepainofhiscrackedknuckles.Ihelpedthegirlup,loosedherhands,andledherawaydownthealleywhilehewasstillblisteringtheairbehindus.
Asweturnedintothestreetshebegantocomeoutofherdaze.Sheturnedasmeary,tear-stainedfaceandlookedupatme.
"Butyoucansee!"shesaidincredulously.
"CertainlyIcan,"Itoldher.
"Oh,thankGod!ThankGod!IthoughtIwastheonlyone,"shesaid,andburstintotearsagain.
Ilookedaroundus.Afewyardsawaytherewasapubwithaphonographplaying,glassessmashing,andahigholdtimebeinghadbyall.Alittlebeyonditwasasmallerpub,stillintact.Agoodheavewishmyshoulderbrokeinthedoortothesaloonbar.Ihalfcarriedthegirlinandputherinachair.ThenIdismemberedanotherchairandputtwoofitslegsthroughthehandlesoftheswingdoorsforthediscouragementoffurthervisitorsbeforeIturnedmyattentiontotherestorativesatthebar.
Therewasnohurry.Shesippedat,andsnuffledover,thefirstdrink.
