Отруєний пояс
Chapter I. The Blurring Of Lines
IfitpleasesyoutobelievethisrigmaroleaboutetherandFraunhofer’slinesuponthespectrum,dosobyallmeans,butdonotaskonewhoisolderandwiserthanyourselftoshareinyourfolly.Isitnotevidentthatiftheetherwereaffectedtothedegreewhichhemaintains,andifitwereobnoxioustohumanhealth,theresultofitwouldalreadybeapparentuponourselves?"Herehelaughedwithuproarioustriumphoverhisownargument."Yes,sir,weshouldalreadybeveryfarfromournormalselves,andinsteadofsittingquietlydiscussingscientificproblemsinarailwaytrainweshouldbeshowingactualsymptomsofthepoisonwhichwasworkingwithinus.Wheredoweseeanysignsofthispoisonouscosmicdisturbance?Answermethat,sir!Answermethat!Come,come,noevasion!Ipinyoutoananswer!"
Ifeltmoreandmoreangry.TherewassomethingveryirritatingandaggressiveinSummerlee’sdemeanour.
"Ithinkthatifyouknewmoreaboutthefactsyoumightbelesspositiveinyouropinion,"saidI.
Summerleetookhispipefromhismouthandfixedmewithastonystare.
"Praywhatdoyoumean,sir,bythatsomewhatimpertinentobservation?"
"ImeanthatwhenIwasleavingtheofficethenewseditortoldmethatatelegramhadcomeinconfirmingthegeneralillnessoftheSumatranatives,andaddingthatthelightshadnotbeenlitintheStraitsofSunda."
"Really,thereshouldbesomelimitstohumanfolly!"criedSummerleeinapositivefury.
