День триффидов
A Light in the Night
Wedroppedthematterofourfinaldestinationforthemomentandgotdowntoworkingoutdetailsforourremoval.Inthemorning,wedecided,wewouldfirstofallacquireatruck—acapacioustruck—andbetweenuswemadealistoftheessentialswewouldputintoit.Ifwecouldfinishthestocking-up,wewouldstartonourwaythenextevening;ifnot—andthelistwasgrowingtoalengthwhichmadethisappearmuchthemorelikely—wewouldriskanothernightinLondonandgetawaythefollowingday.
Itwascloseonmidnightwhenwehadfinishedaddingourownsecondarywantstothelistofmusts.Theresultresembledadepartment-storecatalogue.Butifithaddonenomorethanservetotakeourmindsoffourselvesfortheevening,itwouldhavebeenworththetrouble.
Josellayawnedandstoodup.
"Sleepy,"shesaid."Andsilksheetswaitingonanecstaticbed."
Sheseemedtofloatacrossthethickcarpet.Withherhandonthedoorknobshestopped,andturnedtoregardherselfsolemnlyinalongmirror.
"Somethingswerefun,"shesaid,andkissedherhandtoherreflection.
"Goodnight,youvain,sweetvision,"Isaid.
Sheturnedwithasmallsmileandthenvanishedthroughthedoorlikeamistdriftingaway.
Ipouredoutafinaldropofthesuperbbrandy,warmeditinmyhands,andsippedit.
"Never—neveragainnowwinyouseeasightlikethat,"Itoldmyself."SicTransit..."
Andthen,beforeIshouldbecomeutterlymorbid,Itookmyselftomymoremodestbed.
