"Saliva Tree by Brian Aldiss" - читать интересную книгу автора (Nebula Award Stories 01 [1966] (rtf txt))

always have been, even in the centuries of ignorance before
Charles Darwin. They always seem to play an ill-defined role in
man's affairs. They help me think large too, don't they you,
Greg?"
"You know what I think1 think that some of those stars may
be occupied. By people, I mean." He breathed heavily,
overcome by what he was saying. "People whoperhaps they
are better than us, live in a just society, wonderful people . . ."
"I know, socialists to a man!" Fox exclaimed. This was one
point on which he did not share his friend's advanced thinking.
He had listened to Mr. Tout talking in the office, and thought he
knew better than his rich friend how these socialists, of which
one heard so much these days, were undermining society.
"Stars full of socialists!"
"Better than stars full of Christians! Why, if the stars were
full of Christians, no doubt they would already have sent
missionaries down here to preach their Gospel."
"I wonder if there ever will be planetary journeys as
predicted by Nunsowe Greene and Monsieur Jules Verne"
Fox said, when the appearance of a fresh meteor stopped him
in mid-sentence.
Like the last, this meteor seemed to come from the general
direction of Auriga. It traveled slowly, and it glowed red, and it
sailed grandly towards them. They both exclaimed at once, arid
gripped each other by the arm. The magnificent spark burned
in the sky, larger now, so that its red aura appeared to encase a
brighter orange glow. It passed overhead (afterwards, they
argued whether it had not made a slight noise as it passed),
and disappeared below a clump of willow. They knew it had
been near. For an instant, the land had shone with its light.
Gregory was the first to speak.
"Bruce, Bruce, did you see that? That was no ordinary
fireball!"
"It was so big! What was it?"
"Perhaps our heavenly visitor has come at last!"
"Hey, Greg, it must have landed by your friend's farmthe
Grendon placemustn't it?"
"You're right! I must pay old Mr. Grendon a visit tomorrow
and see if he or his family saw anything of this."
They talked excitedly, stamping their feet as they exercised
their lungs. Their conversation was the conversation of
optimistic young men, and included much speculative matter
that began "Wouldn't it be wonderful if" or "Just supposing"
Then they stopped and laughed at their own absurd beliefs.
Fox said slyly, "So you'll be seeing all the Grendon family
tomorrow?"
"It seems probable, unless that red-hot planetary ship has
already borne them off to a better world."
"Tell us true, Gregyou really go to see that pretty Nancy
Grendon, don't you?"