Межзвёздный скиталец

           I’dbet,ifhemadeuphismind,thathecouldwalkbarefootacrossred-hotstones,likethoseKanakapriestsfromtheSouthSeas.”

           Nowperhapsitwastheword“priests”thatIcarriedawaywithmethroughthedarknessofanotherflightintime.Perhapsitwasthecue.Moreprobablyitwasamerecoincidence.AtanyrateIawoke,lyinguponaroughrockyfloor,andfoundmyselfonmyback,myarmscrossedinsuchfashionthateachelbowrestedinthepalmoftheoppositehand.AsIlaythere,eyesclosed,halfawake,IrubbedmyelbowswithmypalmsandfoundthatIwasrubbingprodigiouscalluses.Therewasnosurpriseinthis.Iacceptedthecallusesasoflongtimeandamatterofcourse.

           Iopenedmyeyes.Myshelterwasasmallcave,nomorethanthreefeetinheightandadozeninlength.Itwasveryhotinthecave.Perspirationnoduledtheentiresurfaceofmybody.Nowandagainseveralnodulescoalescedandformedtinyrivulets.Iworenoclothingsaveafilthyragaboutthemiddle.Myskinwasburnedtoamahoganybrown.Iwasverythin,andIcontemplatedmythinnesswithastrangesortofpride,asifitwereanachievementtobesothin.EspeciallywasIenamouredofmypainfullyprominentribs.Theverysightofthehollowsbetweenthemgavemeasenseofsolemnelation,or,rather,touseabetterword,ofsanctification.

           Mykneeswerecallusedlikemyelbows.Iwasverydirty.