Конец вечности
Timer
Harlanopenedhiseyestobrightsunlightandstaredatthegirlinhorrorforamomentbeforeherememberedwhereshewasandwherehewas.
Shesaid,"Youweremoaningandbeatingthepillow.Wereyouhavingabaddream?"
Harlandidnotanswer.
Shesaid,"Yourbathisready.Soareyourclothes.I’vearrangedtohaveyoujointhegatheringtonight.ItfeltqueertostepbackintomyordinarylifeafterbeinginEternitysolong."
Harlanfeltacutelydisturbedathereasyflowofwords.Hesaid,"Youdidn’ttellthemwhoIwas,Ihope."
"Ofcoursenot."
Ofcoursenot!Fingewouldhavetakencareofthatlittlematterbyhavingherlightlypsychoedundernarcosis,ifhefeltthatnecessary.Hemightnothavethoughtitnecessary,however.Afterall,hehadgivenher"closeobservation."
Thethoughtannoyedhim.Hesaid,"I’dprefertobelefttomyselfasmuchaspossible."
Shelookedathimuncertainlyamomentortwoandleft.
Harlanwentthroughthemorningritualofwashinganddressingglumly.Hehadnogreathopesofanexcitingevening.Hewouldhavetosayaslittleaspossible,doaslittleaspossible,beapartofthewallasmuchaspossible.Histruefunctionwasthatofapairofearsandapairofeyes.Connectingthosesenseswiththefinalreportwashismind,which,ideally,hadnootherfunction.
Ordinarilyitdidnotdisturbhimthat,asanObserver,hedidnotknowwhathewaslookingfor.AnObserver,hehadbeentaughtasaCub,mustnothavepreconceivednotionsastowhatdataisdesiredorwhatconclusionsareexpected.
