Первые люди на Луне
Chapter 25 — The Grand Lunar
AtfirstIcouldseenomorethanthesetwostaringlittleeyes,andthenbelowIdistinguishedthelittledwarfedbodyanditsinsect-jointedlimbsshrivelledandwhite.Theeyesstareddownatmewithastrangeintensity,andthelowerpartoftheswollenglobewaswrinkled.Ineffectual-lookinglittlehand-tentaclessteadiedthisshapeonthethrone....
“Itwasgreat.Itwaspitiful.Oneforgotthehallandthecrowd.
“Iascendedthestaircasebyjerks.Itseemedtomethatthisdarklyglowingbraincaseaboveusspreadoverme,andtookmoreandmoreofthewholeeffectintoitselfasIdrewnearer.Thetiersofattendantsandhelpersgroupedabouttheirmasterseemedtodwindleandfadeintothenight.Isawthatshadowyattendantswerebusysprayingthatgreatbrainwithacoolingspray,andpattingandsustainingit.Formyownpart,IsatgrippingmyswayinglitterandstaringattheGrandLunar,unabletoturnmygazeaside.Andatlast,asIreachedalittlelandingthatwasseparatedonlybytenstepsorsofromthesupremeseat,thewovensplendourofthemusicreachedaclimaxandceased,andIwasleftnaked,asitwere,inthatvastness,beneaththestillscrutinyoftheGrandLunar’seyes.
“Hewasscrutinisingthefirstmanhehadeverseen....
“Myeyesdroppedatlastfromhisgreatnesstotheantfiguresinthebluemistabouthim,andthendownthestepstothemassedSelenites,stillandexpectantintheirthousands,packedonthefloorbelow.Onceagainanunreasonablehorrorreachedouttowardsme....Andpassed.
“Afterthepausecamethesalutation.
