Конец вечности
Computer
Jeweledpendantsdescendedforwardfrommid-shouldertotinklenowthisside,nowthatofthegracefulbreaststowhichtheydrewattention.
ShetookherseatatadeskinthecornerofFinge’soffice,liftinghereyelashesonlyoncetosweepherdarkglanceacrossHarlan’sface.
WhenHarlanheardFinge’svoiceagain,theComputerwassaying,"You’llgetallthisinanofficialreportandmeanwhileyoucanhaveyouroldofficeandsleepingquarters."
HarlanfoundhimselfoutsideFinge’sofficewithoutquiterememberingthedetailsofhisleaving.Presumablyhehadwalkedout.
Theemotionwithinhimthatwaseasiesttorecognizewasanger._ByTime_,Fingeoughtnottobeallowedtodothis.Itwasbadformorale.Itmadeamockery—Hestoppedhimself,unclenchedhisfist,unclampedhisjaw.Let’ssee,now!HisfootstepssoundedsharplyinhisownearashestrodefirmlytowardtheCommunicationsmanbehindthedesk.
Communicationslookedup,withoutquitemeetinghiseye,andsaidcautiously,"Yes,sir."
Harlansaid,"There’sawomanatadeskinComputerFinge’soffice.Isshenewhere?"
Hehadmeanttoaskitcasually.Hehadmeanttomakeitabored,indifferentquestion.Itrangout,instead,likeapairofcymbalsclashing.
ButitrousedCommunications.Thelookinhiseyebecamesomethingthatmadeallmenkin.ItevenembracedtheTechnician,drewhiminasafellow.Communicationssaid,"Youmeanthebabe?Wow!Isn’tshebuiltlikeaforce-fieldlatrine,though?"
Harlanstammeredabit."Justanswermyquestion."
