Конец вечности
The Closing Circle
Shewaslookingupathim,smiling,unfrightened.Momentarilyhisownspiritsrespondedtothat.Butthatwasemotion,notreason,hecounciledhimself;instinct,notthought.Helookedaway.
Thetripwasnothing,oralmostnothing;nodifferentfromanordinarykettleride.Midwaytherewasakindofinternaljarthatmighthavebeenthedownwhenterminusandmighthavebeenpurelypsychosomatic.Itwasbarelynoticeable.
AndthentheywereinthePrimitiveandtheysteppedintoacraggy,lonelyworldbrightenedbythesplendorofanafternoonsun.Therewasasoftwindwithachillyedgetoitand,mostofall,silence.
Thebarerocksweretumbledandmighty,coloredintodullrainbowsbycompoundsofiron,copper,andchromium.ThegrandeurofthemanlessandallbutlifelesssurroundingsdwarfedandshriveledHarlan.Eternity,whichdidnotbelongtotheworldofmatter,hadnosunandnonebutimportedair.Hismemoriesofhisownhomewhenweredim.HisObservationsinthevariousCenturieshaddealtwithmenandtheircities.Hehadneverexperiencedthis.
Noystouchedhiselbow.
"Andrew!I’mcold."
Heturnedtoherwithastart.
Shesaid,"Hadn’twebettersetuptheRadiant?"
Hesaid,"Yes.InCooper’scavern."
"Doyouknowwhereitis?"
"It’srighthere,"hesaidshortly.
Hehadnodoubtofthat.
