Війна світів
The Exodus From London
Theyheardhisvoice,and,lookingbackathim,sawonehandclutchedinhishairandtheotherbeatinginvisiblethings. Hisparoxysmofrageover,hewentonhiswaywithoutoncelookingback.
Asmybrother’spartywentontowardsthecrossroadstothesouthofBarnettheysawawomanapproachingtheroadacrosssomefieldsontheirleft,carryingachildandwithtwootherchildren; andthenpassedamanindirtyblack,withathickstickinonehandandasmallportmanteauintheother. Thenroundthecornerofthelane,frombetweenthevillasthatguardeditatitsconfluencewiththehighroad,camealittlecartdrawnbyasweatingblackponyanddrivenbyasallowyouthinabowlerhat,greywithdust. Therewerethreegirls,EastEndfactorygirls,andacoupleoflittlechildrencrowdedinthecart.
"This’lltikeusrahndEdgware?"askedthedriver,wild-eyed,white-faced; andwhenmybrothertoldhimitwouldifheturnedtotheleft,hewhippedupatoncewithouttheformalityofthanks.
Mybrothernoticedapalegreysmokeorhazerisingamongthehousesinfrontofthem,andveilingthewhitefacadeofaterracebeyondtheroadthatappearedbetweenthebacksofthevillas. Mrs.Elphinstonesuddenlycriedoutatanumberoftonguesofsmokyredflameleapingupabovethehousesinfrontofthemagainstthehot,bluesky. Thetumultuousnoiseresolveditselfnowintothedisorderlyminglingofmanyvoices,thegrideofmanywheels,thecreakingofwaggons,andthestaccatoofhoofs. Thelanecameroundsharplynotfiftyyardsfromthecrossroads.
"Goodheavens!"criedMrs.Elphinstone. "Whatisthisyouaredrivingusinto?"
