Перші люди на Місяці
Chapter 21 — Mr. Bedford at Littlestone
“Isay,”saidthevoiceofthelittlemanbehind.“Isay,youknow.”
Iwheeledabout,andthereweretwentyorthirtypeople,asortofirregularinvestmentofpeople,allbombardingmewithdumbinterrogation,withinfinitedoubtandsuspicion.Ifeltthecompulsionoftheireyesintolerably.Igroanedaloud.
“Ican’t,”Ishouted.“ItellyouIcan’t!I’mnotequaltoit!Youmustpuzzleand—andbedamnedtoyou!”
Igesticulatedconvulsively.HerecededastepasthoughIhadthreatenedhim.Imadeaboltthroughthemintothehotel.Ichargedbackintothecoffee-room,rangthebellfuriously.Igrippedthewaiterasheentered.“D’yehear?”Ishouted.“Gethelpandcarrythesebarsuptomyroomrightaway.”
Hefailedtounderstandme,andIshoutedandravedathim.Ascared-lookinglittleoldmaninagreenapronappeared,andfurthertwooftheyoungmeninflannels.Imadeadashatthemandcommandeeredtheirservices.AssoonasthegoldwasinmyroomIfeltfreetoquarrel.“Nowgetout,”Ishouted;“allofyougetoutifyoudon’twanttoseeamangomadbeforeyoureyes!”AndIhelpedthewaiterbytheshoulderashehesitatedinthedoorway.Andthen,assoonasIhadthedoorlockedonthemall,Itoreoffthelittleman’sclothesagain,shiedthemrightandleft,andgotintobedforthwith.AndthereIlayswearingandpantingandcoolingforaverylongtime.
AtlastIwascalmenoughtogetoutofbedandringuptheround-eyedwaiterforaflannelnightshirt,asodaandwhisky,andsomegoodcigars.
