Конец вечности
The Beginning of Eternity
IwouldhaveswornthatevenafullytrainedComputercouldnothavemadetheproperdeductions,givenonlytheinformationyouhad.ForaTechniciantodoitisuncanny."Heleanedforward,tappedHarlan’skneelightly."TheMallansohnmemoirsaysnothingaboutyourlifeafterCooper’sleaving,ofcourse."
"Iunderstand,sir,"saidHarlan.
"Wewillbefreethen,inamannerofspeaking,todoaswepleasewithit.Youshowasurprisingtalentthatmustnotbewasted.IthinkyouaremeantforsomethingmorethanaTechnician.Ipromisenothingnow,butIpresumethatyourealizethatComputershipisaclistinctpossibility."
ItwaseasyforHarlantokeephisdarkfaceexpressionless.Hehadhadyearsofpracticeforthat.
Hethought:Anadditionalbribe.
Butnothingmustbelefttoconjecture.Hisguesses,wildandunsupportedatthestart,arrivedatbyafreakofinsightinthecourseofaveryunusualandstimulatingnight,hadbecomereasonableastheresultofdirectedlibraryresearch.TheyhadbecomecertaintiesnowthatTwissellhadtoldhimthestory.Yetinonewayatleasttherehadbeenadeviation.CooperwasMallansohn.
Thathadsimplyimprovedhisposition,but,wronginonerespect,hemightbewronginanother.Hemustleavenothingtochance,then.Haveitout!Makecertain!
Hesaidlevelly,almostcasually,"Theresponsibilityisgreatforme,also,nowthatIknowthetruth.
