Отравленный пояс
Chapter VI. The Great Awakening
AndyetIrememberthatitwasthatabsurd,emaciated,superannuatedcab-horsewhichheldmygaze.Slowlyandwheezilyitwasclimbingtheslope.Thenmyeyetraveledtothedriversittinghunchedupupontheboxandfinallytotheyoungmanwhowasleaningoutofthewindowinsomeexcitementandshoutingadirection.Theywereallindubitably,aggressivelyalive!
Everybodywasaliveoncemore!Haditallbeenadelusion?Wasitconceivablethatthiswholepoisonbeltincidenthadbeenanelaboratedream?Foraninstantmystartledbrainwasreallyreadytobelieveit.ThenIlookeddown,andtherewastherisingblisteronmyhandwhereitwasfrayedbytheropeofthecitybell.Ithadreallybeenso,then.Andyetherewastheworldresuscitated—herewaslifecomebackinaninstantfulltidetotheplanet.Now,asmyeyeswanderedalloverthegreatlandscape,Isawitineverydirection—andmoving,tomyamazement,intheverysamegrooveinwhichithadhalted.Therewerethegolfers.Wasitpossiblethattheyweregoingonwiththeirgame?Yes,therewasafellowdrivingofffromatee,andthatothergroupuponthegreenweresurelyputtingforthehole.Thereaperswereslowlytroopingbacktotheirwork.Thenurse-girlslappedoneofherchargesandthenbegantopushtheperambulatorupthehill.Everyonehadunconcernedlytakenupthethreadattheverypointwheretheyhaddroppedit.
Irusheddownstairs,butthehalldoorwasopen,andIheardthevoicesofmycompanions,loudinastonishmentandcongratulation,intheyard.Howweallshookhandsandlaughedaswecametogether,andhowMrs.
