Машина времени
Chapter 5
Butshedreadedthedark,dreadedshadows,dreadedblackthings. Darknesstoherwastheonethingdreadful. Itwasasingularlypassionateemotion,anditsetmethinkingandobserving. Idiscoveredthen,amongotherthings,thattheselittlepeoplegatheredintothegreathousesafterdark,andsleptindroves. Toenteruponthemwithoutalightwastoputthemintoatumultofapprehension. Ineverfoundoneoutofdoors,oronesleepingalonewithindoors,afterdark. YetIwasstillsuchablockheadthatImissedthelessonofthatfear,andinspiteofWeena’sdistressIinsisteduponsleepingawayfromtheseslumberingmultitudes.
‘Ittroubledhergreatly,butintheendheroddaffectionformetriumphed,andforfiveofthenightsofouracquaintance,includingthelastnightofall,shesleptwithherheadpillowedonmyarm. ButmystoryslipsawayfrommeasIspeakofher. ItmusthavebeenthenightbeforeherrescuethatIwasawakenedaboutdawn. Ihadbeenrestless,dreamingmostdisagreeablythatIwasdrowned,andthatseaanemoneswerefeelingovermyfacewiththeirsoftpalps. Iwokewithastart,andwithanoddfancythatsomegreyishanimalhadjustrushedoutofthechamber. Itriedtogettosleepagain,butIfeltrestlessanduncomfortable. Itwasthatdimgreyhourwhenthingsarejustcreepingoutofdarkness,wheneverythingiscolourlessandclearcut,andyetunreal. Igotup,andwentdownintothegreathall,andsooutupontheflagstonesinfrontofthepalace. IthoughtIwouldmakeavirtueofnecessity,andseethesunrise.
‘Themoonwassetting,andthedyingmoonlightandthefirstpallorofdawnweremingledinaghastlyhalf-light. Thebusheswereinkyblack,thegroundasombregrey,theskycolourlessandcheerless. AndupthehillIthoughtIcouldseeghosts.
