Человек-невидимка / The Invisible Man + аудиоприложение - стр. 20

“If you struggle,” said the Voice, “I shall throw the stone at your head.”

“Oh-oh,” said Mr. Thomas Marvel, taking his wounded toe in hand. “I don’t understand it. Stones are flinging themselves. Stones are talking. I’ll surrender.”

“It’s very simple,” said the Voice. “I’m an invisible man.”

“Tell me something more interesting,” said Mr. Marvel. “Where you’ve hid-how you do it-I don’t know.”

“That’s all,” said the Voice. “I’m invisible. That’s what I want you to understand.”

“Anyone can see that. There is no need for you to be so confounded impatient, mister. But tell me: where do you hid?”

“I’m invisible. That’s the great point. And what I want you to understand is this-”

“But where are you?” interrupted Mr. Marvel.

“Here! Six yards in front of you.”

“Oh, come on! I am not blind. You will tell me now that you are just air. I’m not ignorant.”

“Yes, I am air. You’re looking through me.”

“What! And you have nothing? Only your voice?”

“I am just a human being-solid, needing food and drink, needing covering too-But I’m invisible. Do you see? Invisible. Simple idea. Invisible.”

“What? Are you a real man?”

“Yes, real.”

“Let me touch your hand,” said Marvel, “if you are real. Lord!”

He felt the hand that had closed round his wrist with his disengaged fingers, and his fingers patted a muscular chest, and explored a bearded face. Marvel was very surprised.

“Great!” he said. “It’s even better than cock-fighting! Most remarkable! And there I can see a rabbit clean through you, a mile away! Not a bit of you visible-except-”

He scrutinised the apparently empty space keenly.

“Have you eaten bread and cheese?” he asked, holding the invisible arm.

“You’re quite right, and it’s not quite assimilated.”

“Ah!” said Mr. Marvel. “Sort of ghostly, though.”

“Of course, all this isn’t half so wonderful as you think.”

“It’s quite wonderful enough for my modest mind,” said Mr. Thomas Marvel. “How did you manage it? How the devil is it done?”

“It’s a long story. And besides-”

“I tell you, I can’t believe it,” said Mr. Marvel.

“What I want to say at present is this: I need help. I have come to that. I was wandering, mad with rage, naked, impotent. And I saw you-”

“Lord!” said Mr. Marvel.

“-then stopped. ‘Here,’ I said, ‘is an outcast like myself. This is the man for me.’ So I came to you. And-”

“Lord!” said Mr. Marvel. “But may I ask-How is it? And what help do you need? Invisible!”

“I want you to help me get clothes and shelter and then, with other things. I’ve left them long enough. If you won’t-well! But you will-you must.”