Загублений світ
The most Wonderful Things have Happened
Astonishedatthesight,Ileanedforwardtopickitoff,when,tomyhorror,itburstbetweenmyfingerandthumb,squirtingbloodineverydirection.Mycryofdisgusthadbroughtthetwoprofessorstomyside.
"Mostinteresting,"saidSummerlee,bendingovermyshin."Anenormousblood-tick,asyet,Ibelieve,unclassified."
"Thefirst-fruitsofourlabors,"saidChallengerinhisbooming,pedanticfashion."WecannotdolessthancallitIxodesMaloni.Theverysmallinconvenienceofbeingbitten,myyoungfriend,cannot,Iamsure,weighwithyouasagainstthegloriousprivilegeofhavingyournameinscribedinthedeathlessrollofzoology.Unhappilyyouhavecrushedthisfinespecimenatthemomentofsatiation."
"Filthyvermin!"Icried.
ProfessorChallengerraisedhisgreateyebrowsinprotest,andplacedasoothingpawuponmyshoulder.
"Youshouldcultivatethescientificeyeandthedetachedscientificmind,"saidhe."Toamanofphilosophictemperamentlikemyselftheblood-tick,withitslancet-likeproboscisanditsdistendingstomach,isasbeautifulaworkofNatureasthepeacockor,forthatmatter,theauroraborealis.Itpainsmetohearyouspeakofitinsounappreciativeafashion.Nodoubt,withduediligence,wecansecuresomeotherspecimen."
"Therecanbenodoubtofthat,"saidSummerlee,grimly,"foronehasjustdisappearedbehindyourshirt-collar."
