Конец вечности
Trapped!
Itneeded,then,onlyaquicktriptothe2456thtofindoutthenatureofNoys’sanalogueinthenewReality,byuseofalittleblackmailingpressure.
Buttheunmanningofhisrecentexperiencebetrayedhim.Itseemedtohimnolongerasimplething,thisgentleapplicationofthreatenedexposure.AndoncehefoundthenatureofNoys’sanalogue,whatthen?PutNoysinherplaceascharwoman,seamstress,laborer,orwhatever.Certainly.Butwhat,then,wastobedonewiththeanalogueherself?Withanyhusbandtheanaloguemighthave?Family?Children?
Hehadthoughtofnoneofthisearlier.Hehadavoidedthethought."Sufficientuntotheday…"
Butnowhecouldthinkofnothingelse.
Sohelayskulkinginhisroom,hatinghimself,whenTwissellcalledhim,histiredvoicequestioningandalittlepuzzled.
"Harlan,areyouill?Coopertellsmeyou’veskippedseveraldiscussionperiods."
Harlantriedtosmooththetroubleoutofhisface."No,ComputerTwissell.I’malittletired."
"Well,that’sforgivable,atanyrate,boy."Andthenthesmileonhisfacecameaboutascloseasiteverdidtovanishingentirely."Haveyouheardthatthe482ndhasbeenChanged?"
"Yes,"saidHarlanshortly.
"Fingecalledme,"saidTwissell,"andaskedthatyoubetoldthattheChangewasentirelysuccessful.
