A. Belyaev - Classics of a fantasy

to feed “for patrons of the equipment and enthusiasts of industrialization,

forced to serve themselves cars which the teeths tear

human beings also threaten to crush the gear wheels modern

culture”! . When nervousness settled a little, lady Hinton seized

conversation.

– I offered two hundred thousand pounds on fight against them recently, but

it, of course, is not enough. Each of us has to understand that it is better now,

while the getting is good, voluntarily to refuse a part of the property, than

to lose everything.

– I read about “Noah’s Ark” and I believe that the writer quite

in due time raises a question of great importance, – Henry told, reeling up

on a finger a ribbon with a monocle. – When in a number of the countries revolution wins,

won, the truth resisting, quit the stage and as extreme

means, rescue in flight look for. But where to run? Whether is quite

the safe countries on the globe? It is time to think of it.

– Do not accept my words, – the baron told, – for premature

defeatism, panic, disbelief in a victory. With risen we will be

to fight all measures to the death. But success seems to me

problematic. Already now we are anxious with in what business to place ours

capitals, where big guarantee of their safety. However can come

the moment – and it is rather, than it seems to much, – when it is necessary to think already

not so much about the capitals, how many about to.

– And people will rush about here and there, as in the house embraced

flame, – in Shnirere the prophet recovered again. – From the country to the country will be

to run they and everywhere will meet an all-devouring flame, a pernicious flame,

unrestrained and inevitable, as destiny. Also will not save from him the guard,

iron lattices of fencings, thick walls. Everything will die. Everything will turn

in ashes. And we will die. – And, having passed to shrill shout again, Shnirer

finished – And who is guilty? Cars! Proletarians! They! Still cup to tea,

more strong if you allow.

– Strikes began, revolution will finish, – the banker brought a remark.

– Yes this bowl will pass us! – the bishop exclaimed and, having instantly made

pious expression, crossed. – Here really it is time to think about

some., an ark in which with the God’s help could take refuge

righteous persons – color of our civilization and culture. Whether not merciful

the Lord put some idea this, how in times Noyev?

– To construct such “Titanic” – “ark” of modern scale,

equipped with the latest technology? – ironically Henry asked. —

And further? Where you on it will go? To the southern seas? To uninhabited

to the island mislaid in the ocean and not plotted even? Nonsense,

there are no “white spots” on the world map any more. There are no almost such islands. And if

also is, they will be found soon. Construction of “ark” and its departure will not be able

to pass unnoticed. Will find for us, will overtake and will crush as worms,

together with “ark”. Where, at last, a guarantee that it will manage to be completed?

There came silence.

– Really there is no exit? – lady Hinton asked.

– Why is not present? There is a solution, and quite good as it seems to me, – it is quiet

Henry answered. – Here you, mister professor of philosophy, scolded to the technician,

and from the point of view you, of course, are right. But the same equipment can give

for us and an exit to open a way to rescue. We will force the equipment to render to us

this last service, and then I have nothing against if it is

it is destroyed, to your pleasure, professor.

All pricked up the ears, listening. The henry happy with the had effect,

made a pause and slowly continued:

– “Ark” can save not all belonging to our class and

to circle, and only small group of the electees… “Magics to escape yes will escape”

– so, apparently, the milord is told in the writing? So, “ark” can and

it has to be constructed. But “ark” of absolutely special grade which carried away

us far away from this rebellious planet – well, at least for a while, so far

danger will not be eliminated. Or otherwise., forever…

Listeners disappointedly leaned back on backs of chairs, and the bishop,

Henry as dexterous maneuver who apprehended words to distract the general attention from

gloomy thoughts, threw off a fast mask, began to shine and good-natured burst out laughing:

– Perfectly! The ark floating on waves of the radio ocean!

Excellently!

– Yes, on waves of the radio ocean, – Henry seriously answered.

– It could come to mind only to Henry! – respectable exclaimed

the lady not flatter for it tone.

– Least of all in my head, the aunt. I admit, I understand a little in

to the equipment. But you, misters, know that recently I pay a tribute

to interest in stratospheric flights together with my friend the engineer,

large theorist of a zvezdoplavaniye and talented designer Leo

Zander. I just from it… And if you knew about its works, it

achievements…

– But same chimera!

– Imagination!

– And how we will breathe there?

– And what to eat? Air?

– We will stiffen from world cold which will destroy us also soon

and it is right as it will make communism.

– He wants to send us to the sky prematurely!

– And you depart?

Exclamations, jokes, laughter were heard.

– The lady and gentlemen, – Henry was not appeased, – your questions and

exclamations testify only to full yours, to put it mildly

ignorance of a subject. I claim that if you…

But did not listen to it. The nervous tension found a way out. Society

cheered up. Even Shnirer left the gloomy concentration and

opened that in this world, except strong tea and terrible cars, exist

still amazingly pleasant liquids concluded in graceful small bottles, and

the bishop reddened more than ordinary and laughed more loudly, than it was necessary

to it at its dignity.

Lady Hinton was happy and already graciously glanced at Henry,

it is free or involuntarily rendered her service.

– Let’s not be, misters to think of gloomy things, – she told. – God

it is mercy, our people are reasonable, the power in reliable hands, and to us,

I hope, it is not necessary to resort to the air ships and to look for rescue in

similar flight. Why you will not taste this liqueur, the baron?

Henry was angry by a failure of promotion of a zvezdoplavaniye.

He expected to receive several checks for continuation of experiences

Zander.

Lady Hinton seemed she managed what as to the skillful captain, already

to bring the ship out of a strip of the most severe storm, and suddenly flew new:

Stormer who was silent all evening zagromykhat by the thunderous voice:

– And I assure you, the sir, – addressed he Blotton, – that in the southern seas

there will be not one ten more unopened islands. I well know Silent

ocean. In its southeast part, far from main ocean roads, and

now still it is possible to find a silent shelter, – the island which is not put on one

card… But… I am a businessman, the businessman not inclined to panic and

to hysterics. Silly, however, to close eyes to reality. We live

on a volcano. Yes. We with devilish (Hinton shuddered) speed fly in

abyss. I will not list the latest events, they are known to all.

It is necessary to be ready to the worst. Yes. – Everyone it “yes” rattled as