The Closing Circle

           Itdidnotstopdisturbinghim.Itwasamatterthatgrewinhismindasthedaysofpreparationspedby.ItinterposeditselfbetweenhimandTwissell;thenbetweenhimandNoys.Whenthedayofdeparturecame,hewasonlydistantlyawareofthefact.

           ItwasallhecoulddotorouseashadowofinterestwhenTwissellreturnedfromasessionwiththeCouncilsubcommittee.Hesaid,"Howdiditgo?"

           Twissellsaidwearily,"Itwasn’texactlythemostpleasantconversationI’veeverhad."

           Harlanwasalmostwillingtoletitgoatthat,buthebrokehismoment’ssilencewithamuttered"Isupposeyousaidnothingabout--"

           "No,no,"wasthetestyresponse."IsaidnothingaboutthegirloraboutyourpartinthemisdirectionofCooper.Itwasanunfortunateerror,amechanicalfailure.Itookfullresponsibility."

           Harlan’sconscience,burdenedasitwas,couldfindroomforatwinge.Hesaid,"Thatwon’taffectyouwell."

           "Whatcantheydo?Theymustwaitforthecorrectiontobemadebeforetheycantouchme.Ifwefail,we’reallbeyondhelporharm.Ifwesucceed,successitselfwillprobablyprotectme.Andifitdoesn’t--"Theoldmanshrugged."IplantoretirefromactiveparticipationinEternity’saffairsthereafteranyway."Buthefumbledhiscigaretteanddisposedofitbeforeitwashalfburnedaway.

           Hesighed.