Затерянный мир

           Leavethattothenovelists.Thefellowisasfulloftricksasthemonkey-houseattheZoo.It’sallbosh."

           "ButtheAmericanpoet?"

           "Heneverexisted."

           "Isawhissketch-book."

           "Challenger’ssketch-book."

           "Youthinkhedrewthatanimal?"

           "Ofcoursehedid.Whoelse?"

           "Well,then,thephotographs?"

           "Therewasnothinginthephotographs.Byyourownadmissionyouonlysawabird."

           "Apterodactyl."

           "That’swhatHEsays.Heputthepterodactylintoyourhead."

           "Well,then,thebones?"

           "FirstoneoutofanIrishstew.Secondonevampedupfortheoccasion.Ifyouarecleverandknowyourbusinessyoucanfakeaboneaseasilyasyoucanaphotograph."

           Ibegantofeeluneasy.Perhaps,afterall,Ihadbeenprematureinmyacquiescence.ThenIhadasuddenhappythought.