Перші люди на Місяці
Chapter 21 — Mr. Bedford at Littlestone
TheyaccountformyappearanceinragswithtwobarsofindisputablegoldupontheLittlestonebeachinvariousingeniousways—itdoesn’tworrymewhattheythinkofme.TheysayIhavestrungallthesethingstogethertoavoidbeingquestionedtoocloselyastothesourceofmywealth.Iwouldliketoseethemanwhocouldinventastorythatwouldholdtogetherlikethisone.Well,theymusttakeitasfiction—thereitis.
Ihavetoldmystory—andnow,Isuppose,Ihavetotakeuptheworriesofthisterrestriallifeagain.Evenifonehasbeentothemoon,onehasstilltoearnaliving.SoIamworkinghereatAmalfi,onthescenarioofthatplayIsketchedbeforeCavorcamewalkingintomyworld,andIamtryingtopiecemylifetogetherasitwasbeforeeverIsawhim.ImustconfessthatIfindithardtokeepmymindontheplaywhenthemoonshinecomesintomyroom.Itisfullmoonhere,andlastnightIwasoutonthepergolaforhours,staringawayattheshiningblanknessthathidessomuch.Imagineit!tablesandchairs,andtrestlesandbarsofgold!Confoundit!—ifonlyonecouldhitonthatCavoriteagain!Butathinglikethatdoesn’tcometwiceinalife.HereIam,alittlebetteroffthanIwasatLympne,andthatisall.AndCavorhascommittedsuicideinamoreelaboratewaythananyhumanbeingeverdidbefore.Sothestoryclosesasfinallyandcompletelyasadream