Девять рассказов

           "It’sjusttenafterten,"hesaid.

           "Thankyou,"Teddysaid,andsatback."Wecanenjoyourconversationforabouttenmoreminutes."Nicholsonletonelegdropoverthesideofthedeckchair,leanedforward,andsteppedonhiscigaretteend."AsIunderstandit,"hesaid,sittingback,"youholdprettyfirmlytotheVedantictheoryofreincarnation."

           "Itisn’tatheory,it’sasmuchapart—"

           "Allright,"Nicholsonsaidquickly.Hesmiled,andgentlyraisedtheflatsofhishands,inasortofironicbenediction."Wewon’targuethatpoint,forthemoment.Letmefinish."Hecrossedhisheavy,outstretchedlegsagain."FromwhatIgather,you’veacquiredcertaininformation,throughmeditation,that’sgivenyousomeconvictionthatinyourlastincarnationyouwereaholymaninIndia,butmoreorlessfellfromGrace-"

           "Iwasn’taholyman,"Teddysaid."Iwasjustapersonmakingverynicespiritualadvancement."

           "Allright—whateveritwas,"Nicholsonsaid."ButthepointisyoufeelthatinyourlastincarnationyoumoreorlessfellfromGracebeforefinalIllumination.Isthatright,oramI—"

           "That’sright,"Teddysaid."Imetalady,andIsortofstoppedmeditating."Hetookhisarmsdownfromthearmrests,andtuckedhishands,asiftokeepthemwarm,underhisthighs."Iwouldhavehadtotakeanotherbodyandcomebacktoearthagainanyway-ImeanIwasn’tsospirituallyadvancedthatIcouldhavedied,ifIhadn’tmetthatlady,andthengonestraighttoBrahmaandneveragainhavetocomebacktoearth.