Конец вечности
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Itmeanttheexistenceofaleisureclassandthedevelopmentofanattractivewayoflifewhich,atitsbest,encouragedcultureandgrace.Aslongastheotherendofthescalewasnottoobadlyoff,aslongastheleisureclassesdidnotentirelyforgettheirresponsibilitieswhileenjoyingtheirprivileges,aslongastheirculturetooknoobviouslyunhealthyturn,therewasalwaysthetendencyinEternitytoforgivethedeparturefromtheidealwealth-distributionpatternandtosearchforother,lessattractivemaladjustments.
AgainsthiswillHarlanbegantounderstandthis.OrdinarilyhisovernightstaysinTimeinvolvedhotelsinthepoorersections,whereamanmighteasilystayanonymous,wherestrangerswereignored,whereonepresencemoreorlesswasnothingandthereforedidnotcausethefabricofRealitytodomorethantremble.Wheneventhatwasunsafe,whentherewasagoodchancethatthetremblingmightpassthecriticalpointandbringdownasignificantpartofthecardhouseofReality,itwasnotunusualtohavetosleepunderaparticularhedgeinthecountryside.
Anditwasusualtosurveyvarioushedgestoseewhichwouldbeleastdisturbedbyfarmers,tramps,evenstraydogs,duringthenight.
ButnowHarlan,attheotherendofthescale,sleptinabedwithasurfaceoffield-permeatedmatter,apeculiarweldingofmatterandenergythatenteredonlythehighesteconomiclevelsofthissociety.ThroughoutTimeitwaslesscommonthanpurematterbutmorecommonthanpureenergy.
