Цвет из иных миров

           Elmoortheflamesthatcamedownontheapostles’headsatPentecost.Itwasamonstrousconstellationofunnaturallight,likeagluttedswarmofcorpse-fedfirefliesdancinghellishsarabandsoveranaccursedmarsh;anditscolourwasthatsamenamelessintrusionwhichAmmihadcometorecogniseanddread.Allthewhiletheshaftofphosphorescencefromthewellwasgettingbrighterandbrighter,bringingtothemindsofthehuddledmenasenseofdoomandabnormalitywhichfaroutracedanyimagetheirconsciousmindscouldform.Itwasnolongershiningout,itwaspouringout;andastheshapelessstreamofunplaceablecolourleftthewellitseemedtoflowdirectlyintothesky.

           Theveterinaryshivered,andwalkedtothefrontdoortodroptheheavyextrabaracrossit.Ammishooknoless,andhadtotugandpointforlackofacontrollablevoicewhenhewishedtodrawnoticetothegrowingluminosityofthetrees.Theneighingandstampingofthehorseshadbecomeutterlyfrightful,butnotasoulofthatgroupintheoldhousewouldhaveventuredforthforanyearthlyreward.Withthemomentstheshiningofthetreesincreased,whiletheirrestlessbranchesseemedtostrainmoreandmoretowardverticality.Thewoodofthewell-sweepwasshiningnow,andpresentlyapolicemandumblypointedtosomewoodenshedsandbee-hivesnearthestonewallonthewest.Theywerecommencingtoshine,too,thoughthetetheredvehiclesofthevisitorsseemedsofarunaffected.