Загублений світ
The most Wonderful Things have Happened
Wesawtheshimmeringslatygleamoftheirskinsbetweenthetree-trunks,andtheirheadsundulatinghighabovethebrush-wood.Thentheyvanishedfromoursight.
Ilookedatmycomrades.LordJohnwasstandingatgazewithhisfingeronthetriggerofhiselephant-gun,hiseagerhunter’ssoulshiningfromhisfierceeyes.WhatwouldhenotgiveforonesuchheadtoplacebetweenthetwocrossedoarsabovethemantelpieceinhissnuggeryattheAlbany!Andyethisreasonheldhimin,forallourexplorationofthewondersofthisunknownlanddependeduponourpresencebeingconcealedfromitsinhabitants.Thetwoprofessorswereinsilentecstasy.Intheirexcitementtheyhadunconsciouslyseizedeachotherbythehand,andstoodliketwolittlechildreninthepresenceofamarvel,Challenger’scheeksbunchedupintoaseraphicsmile,andSummerlee’ssardonicfacesofteningforthemomentintowonderandreverence.
"Nuncdimittis!"hecriedatlast."WhatwilltheysayinEnglandofthis?"
"MydearSummerlee,IwilltellyouwithgreatconfidenceexactlywhattheywillsayinEngland,"saidChallenger."Theywillsaythatyouareaninfernalliarandascientificcharlatan,exactlyasyouandotherssaidofme."
"Inthefaceofphotographs?"
"Faked,Summerlee!Clumsilyfaked!"
"Inthefaceofspecimens?"
"Ah,therewemayhavethem!MaloneandhisfilthyFleetStreetcrewmaybeallyelpingourpraisesyet.
