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How I Reached Home
"Whatnewsfromthecommon?"Isaid.
"’Ain’tyerjustbeenthere?"askedthemen.
"Peopleseemfairsillyaboutthecommon,"saidthewomanoverthegate. "What’sitallabart?"
"Haven’tyouheardofthemenfromMars?"saidI; "thecreaturesfromMars?"
"Quiteenough,"saidthewomanoverthegate. "Thenks"; andallthreeofthemlaughed.
Ifeltfoolishandangry. ItriedandfoundIcouldnottellthemwhatIhadseen. Theylaughedagainatmybrokensentences.
"You’llhearmoreyet,"Isaid,andwentontomyhome.
Istartledmywifeatthedoorway,sohaggardwasI. Iwentintothediningroom,satdown,dranksomewine,andsosoonasIcouldcollectmyselfsufficientlyItoldherthethingsIhadseen. Thedinner,whichwasacoldone,hadalreadybeenserved,andremainedneglectedonthetablewhileItoldmystory.
"Thereisonething,"Isaid,toallaythefearsIhadaroused; "theyarethemostsluggishthingsIeversawcrawl. Theymaykeepthepitandkillpeoplewhocomenearthem,buttheycannotgetoutofit....Butthehorrorofthem!"
"Don’t,dear!"saidmywife,knittingherbrowsandputtingherhandonmine.
