The Days of Imprisonment

           Thearrivalofasecondfighting-machinedroveusfromourpeepholeintothescullery,forwefearedthatfromhiselevationtheMartianmightseedownuponusbehindourbarrier. Atalaterdatewebegantofeellessindangeroftheireyes,fortoaneyeinthedazzleofthesunlightoutsideourrefugemusthavebeenblankblackness,butatfirsttheslightestsuggestionofapproachdroveusintothesculleryinheart-throbbingretreat. Yetterribleaswasthedangerweincurred,theattractionofpeepingwasforbothofusirresistible. AndIrecallnowwithasortofwonderthat,inspiteoftheinfinitedangerinwhichwewerebetweenstarvationandastillmoreterribledeath,wecouldyetstrugglebitterlyforthathorribleprivilegeofsight. Wewouldraceacrossthekitcheninagrotesquewaybetweeneagernessandthedreadofmakinganoise,andstrikeeachother,andthrustaddkick,withinafewinchesofexposure. 

           Thefactisthatwehadabsolutelyincompatibledispositionsandhabitsofthoughtandaction,andourdangerandisolationonlyaccentuatedtheincompatibility. AtHallifordIhadalreadycometohatethecurate’strickofhelplessexclamation,hisstupidrigidityofmind. HisendlessmutteringmonologuevitiatedeveryeffortImadetothinkoutalineofaction,anddrovemeattimes,thuspentupandintensified,almosttothevergeofcraziness. Hewasaslackinginrestraintasasillywoman. Hewouldweepforhourstogether,andIverilybelievethattotheveryendthisspoiledchildoflifethoughthisweaktearsinsomewayefficacious. AndIwouldsitinthedarknessunabletokeepmymindoffhimbyreasonofhisimportunities. HeatemorethanIdid,anditwasinvainIpointedoutthatouronlychanceoflifewastostopinthehouseuntiltheMartianshaddonewiththeirpit,thatinthatlongpatienceatimemightpresentlycomewhenweshouldneedfood.