Тінь над Іннсмутом

           Theservicewasallofthecountertype,anditrelievedmetofindthatmuchwasevidentlyservedfromcansandpackages.Abowlofvegetablesoupwithcrackerswasenoughforme,andIsoonheadedbackformycheerlessroomattheGilman;gettingaeveningpaperandafly-speckedmagazinefromtheevil-visagedclerkatthericketystandbesidehisdesk.

           AstwilightdeepenedIturnedontheonefeebleelectricbulboverthecheap,iron-framedbed,andtriedasbestIcouldtocontinuethereadingIhadbegun.Ifeltitadvisabletokeepmymindwholesomelyoccupied,foritwouldnotdotobroodovertheabnormalitiesofthisancient,blight-shadowedtownwhileIwasstillwithinitsborders.TheinsaneyarnIhadheardfromtheageddrunkarddidnotpromiseverypleasantdreams,andIfeltImustkeeptheimageofhiswild,wateryeyesasfaraspossiblefrommyimagination.

           Also,ImustnotdwellonwhatthatfactoryinspectorhadtoldtheNewburyportticket-agentabouttheGilmanHouseandthevoicesofitsnocturnaltenants—notonthat,noronthefacebeneaththetiaraintheblackchurchdoorway;thefaceforwhosehorrormyconsciousmindcouldnotaccount.Itwouldperhapshavebeeneasiertokeepmythoughtsfromdisturbingtopicshadtheroomnotbeensogruesomelymusty.Asitwas,thelethalmustinessblendedhideouslywiththetown’sgeneralfishyodourandpersistentlyfocussedone’sfancyondeathanddecay.

           Anotherthingthatdisturbedmewastheabsenceofaboltonthedoorofmyroom.