Тень над Иннсмутом
Chapter 4
Theservicewasallofthecountertype,anditrelievedmetofindthatmuchwasevidentlyservedfromcansandpackages.Abowlofvegetablesoupwithcrackerswasenoughforme,andIsoonheadedbackformycheerlessroomattheGilman;gettingaeveningpaperandafly-speckedmagazinefromtheevil-visagedclerkatthericketystandbesidehisdesk.
AstwilightdeepenedIturnedontheonefeebleelectricbulboverthecheap,iron-framedbed,andtriedasbestIcouldtocontinuethereadingIhadbegun.Ifeltitadvisabletokeepmymindwholesomelyoccupied,foritwouldnotdotobroodovertheabnormalitiesofthisancient,blight-shadowedtownwhileIwasstillwithinitsborders.TheinsaneyarnIhadheardfromtheageddrunkarddidnotpromiseverypleasantdreams,andIfeltImustkeeptheimageofhiswild,wateryeyesasfaraspossiblefrommyimagination.
Also,ImustnotdwellonwhatthatfactoryinspectorhadtoldtheNewburyportticket-agentabouttheGilmanHouseandthevoicesofitsnocturnaltenants—notonthat,noronthefacebeneaththetiaraintheblackchurchdoorway;thefaceforwhosehorrormyconsciousmindcouldnotaccount.Itwouldperhapshavebeeneasiertokeepmythoughtsfromdisturbingtopicshadtheroomnotbeensogruesomelymusty.Asitwas,thelethalmustinessblendedhideouslywiththetown’sgeneralfishyodourandpersistentlyfocussedone’sfancyondeathanddecay.
Anotherthingthatdisturbedmewastheabsenceofaboltonthedoorofmyroom.
