"Aldiss, Brian - Saliva Tree, The" - читать интересную книгу автора (Aldiss Brian W)

Holmes."
Gregory Rolles went back to the farm. But the sorting out of
which Bruce had spoken took longer than he expected. This
was chiefly because the Aurigans seemed to have settled
quietly into their new home after the initial day's troubles.
They came forth no more from the pond, as far as he could
discover; at least they caused no more disturbance. The young
graduate particularly regretted this since he had taken his
friend's words much to heart, and wanted to prove how
enlightened and benevolent he was towards this strange form
of life. After some days, he came to believe the Aurigans must
have left as unexpectedly as they arrived. Then a minor
incident convinced him otherwise; and that same night, in his
snug room over the baker's shop, he described it to his
correspondent in Worcester Park, Surrey.
Dear Mr. Wells,
I must apologize for my failure to write earlier, owing to lack
of news concerning the Grendon Farm affair.
Only today, the Aurigans showed themselves again!If in-
deed "showed" is the right word for invisible creatures.
Nancy Grendon and I were in the orchard feeding the hens.
There is still much snow lying about, and everywhere is very
white. As the poultry came running to Nancy's tub, I saw a
disturbance further down the orchardmerely some snow
dropping from an apple bough, but the movement caught my
eye, and then I saw a procession of falling snow proceed
towards us from tree to tree. The grass is long there, and I soon
noted the stalks being thrust aside by an unknown agency! I
directed Nancy's attention to the phenomenon. The motion in
the grass stopped only a few yards from us.
Nancy was startled, but I determined to acquit myself more
like a Briton than I had previously. Accordingly, I advanced
and said, "Who are you? What do you want? We are your
friends if you are friendly."
No answer came. I stepped forward again, and now the grass
again fell back, and I could see by the way it was pressed down
that the creature must have large feet. By the movement of the
grasses, I could see he was running. I cried to him and ran too.
He went round the side of the house, and then over the frozen
mud in the farmyard. I could see no further trace of him. But
instinct led me forward, past the barn to the pond.
Surely enough, I then saw the cold, muddy water rise and
heave, as if engulfing a body that slid quietly in. Shards of
broken ice were thrust aside, and by an outward motion, I
could see where the strange being went. In a flurry and a small
whirlpool, he was gone, and I have no doubt dived down to the
mysterious star vehicle.
These thingspeople1 know not what to call themmust be
aquatic; perhaps they live in the canals of the Red Planet. But
imagine, Siran invisible mankind! The idea is almost as