Цвет из иных миров

           Theirshapesweremonstrous,andthehorsehadsnortedatanodourwhichstruckStephenaswhollyunprecedented.Thatafternoonseveralpersonsdrovepasttoseetheabnormalgrowth,andallagreedthatplantsofthatkindoughtnevertosproutinahealthyworld.Thebadfruitofthefallbeforewasfreelymentioned,anditwentfrommouthtomouththattherewaspoisoninNahum’sground.Ofcourseitwasthemeteorite;andrememberinghowstrangethemenfromthecollegehadfoundthatstonetobe,severalfarmersspokeaboutthemattertothem.

           OnedaytheypaidNahumavisit;buthavingnoloveofwildtalesandfolklorewereveryconservativeinwhattheyinferred.Theplantswerecertainlyodd,butallskunk-cabbagesaremoreorlessoddinshapeandodourandhue.Perhapssomemineralelementfromthestonehadenteredthesoil,butitwouldsoonbewashedaway.Andasforthefootprintsandfrightenedhorses—ofcoursethiswasmerecountrytalkwhichsuchaphenomenonastheaërolitewouldbecertaintostart.Therewasreallynothingforseriousmentodoincasesofwildgossip,forsuperstitiousrusticswillsayandbelieveanything.Andsoallthroughthestrangedaystheprofessorsstayedawayincontempt.Onlyoneofthem,whengiventwophialsofdustforanalysisinapolicejoboverayearandahalflater,recalledthatthequeercolourofthatskunk-cabbagehadbeenverylikeoneoftheanomalousbandsoflightshewnbythemeteorfragmentinthecollegespectroscope,andlikethebrittleglobulefoundimbeddedinthestonefromtheabyss.