The Robot Brains [with w_cat] | страница 8

131 "You are new, aren't you?"

132 "Started today, miss." Only now Christian realized that she was not a child, but a very small grown-up woman.

133 "I'm Jo," she said, laughing. "You need not feel awkward. We are different only outside; inside we are just like anybody else"

134 She had soft dark hair and wore a pink dress.

135 "You are a sailor, aren't you? Tell us about the sea - I'm sure you've had lots of adventures."

136 "You won't believe me," replied Christian. "Once I was shipwrecked on a rock in the middle of the ocean, and every night mermaids brought me food and sang me to sleep. Another time I was swallowed by a whale, but I had my knife with me, so I cut a hole in the side of the whale and escaped."

Jo laughed.

137 "Don't tell me about the sharks," she said. "I shan't believe that if you don't show me your wooden leg!"

138 Christian looked round.

139 "I don't see the Brains," he said. "I suppose they eat something."

140 "Not with us," said Jo with contempt. "they are too high to mix with the rest of us. They are not true dwarfs, not like Mabel and me."

141 "If the Brains are not dwarfs," said Christian, "what are they?"

142 "I don't know. None of us like them very much. They never leave their trailer, except for their act. But they are clever... and cruel!"

143 She shuddered.

144 "I wonder if they went out last night," said Christian.

145 "I don't think so," said Jo. "It seems that they are afraid of the dark - at least they keep the door of their trailer locked all night, and the lamps burning."

146 Soon Christian said good-night to Jo and walked to the trailer where he and Miller slept. When he came, Miller was preparing to go out.

147 "I'll come late," Miller said. "But don't worry, I shan't make noise."

148 Christian was glad to hear it, because he wanted to go out himself to watch the Brains; so he would not have to explain anything to Miller.

149 Christian spent almost all night watching the Brains' trailer, but in vain: they did not leave it.

150 In the evening of the next day, when the show was over, Christian was standing at the back of the large tent and waiting for the Brains. It was cold and it was raining. When they came out, he said:

151 "Typical English weather, this."

152 The Brains did not answer. Christian tried again.

153 "I suppose," he said, "the climate is warm in the place you come from."

154 When they were standing close to him, he could see individual differences in them. One had a more pointed chin than the others; the second had his ears flat against the skull; the third had a scar on his nose.