"Bradbury, Ray - The Illustrated Man" - читать интересную книгу автора (Bradbury Ray)

УIt did.Ф

УYou have witnesses?Ф

УWe have.Ф

УMay we talk to them?Ф

УTalk to any of us,Ф said the mayor. УWe are all witnesses.Ф

In an aside to Martin the captain said, УMass hallucination.Ф To the mayor, УWhat did this manЧthis strangerЧlook like?Ф

УThat would be hard to say,Ф said the mayor, smiling a little.

УWhy would it?Ф

УOpinions might differ slightly.Ф

УIТd like your opinion, sir, anyway,Ф said the captain. УRecord this,Ф he snapped to Martin over his shoulder. The lieutenant pressed the button of a hand recorder.

УWell,Ф said the mayor of the city, Уhe was a very gentle and kind man. He was of a great and knowing intelligence.Ф

УYesЧyes, I know, I know.Ф The captain waved his fingers. УGeneralizations. I want something specific. What did he look like?Ф

УI donТt believe that is important,Ф replied the mayor.

УItТs very important,Ф said the captain sternly. УI want a description of this fellow. If I canТt get it from you, IТll get it from others.Ф To Martin, УIТm sure it must have been Burton, pulling one of his practical jokes.Ф

Martin would not look him in the face. Martin was coldly silent.

The captain snapped his fingers. УThere was something or otherЧa healing?Ф

УMany healings,Ф said the mayor.

УMay I see one?Ф

УYou may,Ф said the mayor. УMy son.Ф He nodded at a small boy who stepped forward. УHe was afflicted with a withered arm. Now, look upon it.Ф

At this the captain laughed tolerantly. УYes, yes. This isnТt even circumstantial evidence, you know. I didnТt see the boyТs withered arm. I see only his arm whole and well. ThatТs no proof. What proof have you that the boyТs arm was withered yesterday and today is well?Ф

УMy word is my proof,Ф said the mayor simply.

УMy dear man!Ф cried the captain. УYou donТt expect me to go on hearsay, do you? Oh no!Ф

УIТm sorry,Ф said the mayor, looking upon the captain with what appeared to be curiosity and pity.

УDo you have any pictures of the boy before today?Ф asked the captain.

After a moment a large oil portrait was carried forth, showing the son with a withered arm.