Конец вечности

           Hecouldremember,soclearly,themomentthatCubhoodwasdone,themomenttheybecameindependentmembersofEternity,themomentwhen,eventhoughun-Specialized,theystillratedthelegaltitleof"Eternal."

           Hecouldrememberit.Schooldone,Cubhoodover,hewasstandingwiththefivewhocompletedtrainingwithhim,handsclaspedinthesmallofhisback,legsatrifleapart,eyesfront,listening.

           EducatorYarrowwasatadesktalkingtothem.HarlancouldrememberYarrowwell:asmall,intenseman,withruddyhairindisarray,freckledforearms,andalookoflossinhiseyes.(Itwasn’tuncommon,thislookoflossintheeyesofanEternal-thelossofhomeandroots,theunadmittedandunadmittablelongingfortheoneCenturyhecouldneversee.)

           HarlancouldnotrememberYarrow’sexactwords,ofcourse,butthesubstanceofitremainedsharp.

           Yarrowsaid,insubstance,"YouwillbeObserversnow.Itisn’tahighlyregardedposition.Specialistslookuponitasaboy’sjob.MaybeyouEternals"(hedeliberatelypausedafterthatwordtogiveeachmanachancetostraightenhisbackandbrightenatthegloryofit)"thinksotoo.Ifso,youarefoolswhodon’tdeservetobeObservers.

           "TheComputerswouldhavenoComputingtodo,Life-PlottersnolivestoPlot,Sociologistsnosocietiestoprofile;noneoftheSpecialistswouldhaveanythingtodo,ifitweren’tfortheObserver.Iknowyou’veheardthissaidbefore,butIwantyoutobeveryfirmandclearinyourmindaboutit.