Конец вечности
The Closing Circle
Thekettlehadbeencoveredbyadiffusereflectingfilmwhichwouldhideitfromanybuttheclosestofpryingeyes,andHarlanhadablastertotakecareofthose,ifneedbe.TheRadiantwassetupinthecaveandtheflashwaswedgedintoacrevice,sothattheyhadheatandlight.
OutsideitwasachillMarchnight.
NoysstaredthoughtfullyintothesmoothparaboloidinterioroftheRadiantasitslowlyrotated.Shesaid,"Andrew,whatareyourplans?"
"Tomorrowmorning,"hesaid,"I’llleaveforthenearesttown.Iknowwhereitis-orshouldbe."(Hechangeditbackto"is"inhismind.Therewouldbenotrouble.Twissell’slogicagain.)
"I’llcomewithyou,won’tI?"
Heshookhishead."Youcan’tspeakthelanguage,foronething,andthetripwillbedifficultenoughforonetonegotiate."
NoyslookedstrangelyarchaicinhershorthairandthesuddenangerinhereyesmadeHarlanlookawayuneasily.
Shesaid,"I’mnofool,Andrew.Youscarcelyspeaktome.Youdon’tlookatme.Whatisit?Isyourhomewhenmoralitytakinghold?DoyoufeelyouhavebetrayedEternityandareyoublamingmeforthat?DoyoufeelIhavecorruptedyou?Whatisit?"
Hesaid,"Youdon’tknowwhatIfeel."
Shesaid,"Thendescribeit.Youmightaswell.You’llneverhaveachanceasgoodasthisone.Doyoufeellove?Forme?Youcouldn’toryouwouldn’tbeusingmeasascapegoat.
