Перші люди на Місяці
Chapter 13 — Mr. Cavor Makes Some Suggestions
Imightdrawthegeometricalfigurewithawetfinger,oreventraceitintheair....”
Hefellsilent.Isatmeditatinghiswords.Foratimehiswildhopeofcommunication,ofinterpretation,withtheseweirdbeingsheldme.Thenthatangrydespairthatwasapartofmyexhaustionandphysicalmiseryresumeditssway.IperceivedwithasuddennovelvividnesstheextraordinaryfollyofeverythingIhadeverdone.“Ass!”Isaid;“oh,ass,unutterableass....Iseemtoexistonlytogoaboutdoingpreposterousthings.Whydidweeverleavethething?...Hoppingaboutlookingforpatentsandconcessionsinthecratersofthemoon!...Ifonlywehadhadthesensetofastenahandkerchieftoasticktoshowwherewehadleftthesphere!”
Isubsided,fuming.
“Itisclear,”meditatedCavor,“theyareintelligent.Onecanhypothecatecertainthings.Astheyhavenotkilledusatonce,theymusthaveideasofmercy.Mercy!atanyrateofrestraint.Possiblyofintercourse.Theymaymeetus.Andthisapartmentandtheglimpseswehadofitsguardian.Thesefetters!Ahighdegreeofintelligence...”
“Iwishtoheaven,”criedI,“I’dthoughteventwice!Plungeafterplunge.Firstoneflukystartandthenanother.Itwasmyconfidenceinyou!Whydidn’tIsticktomyplay?ThatwaswhatIwasequalto.ThatwasmyworldandthelifeIwasmadefor.Icouldhavefinishedthatplay.I’mcertain...itwasagoodplay.Ihadthescenarioasgoodasdone.Then....Conceiveit!leapingtothemoon!Practically—I’vethrownmylifeaway!ThatoldwomanintheinnnearCanterburyhadbettersense.”
