Конец вечности
Timer
Annoyed,Harlanremovedlip-pieceandearpiece,clippedthemtothemolecularrecorder,placedthewholeintoitskit,andclaspedthatshut.
"Whydoyouactsoangrywithme?"askedNoys.Herarmsandshoulderswerebareandherlonglegsshimmeredinfaintlyluminescentfoamite.
Hesaid,"Iamnotangry.Ihavenofeelingforyouatall."Atthemomenthefeltthestatementtoberigidlytrue.
Shesaid,"Areyoustillworking?Surely,youmustbetired."
"Ican’tworkifyou’rehere,"herepliedpeevishly.
"Youareangrywithme.Youdidnotsayawordtomeallevening."
"IsaidaslittleasIcouldtoanybody.Iwasn’ttheretospeak."Hewaitedforhertoleave.
Butshesaid,"Ibroughtyouanotherdrink.Youseemedtoenjoyoneatthegatheringandoneisn’tenough.Especiallyifyou’regoingtobeworking."
HenoticedthesmallMekkanobehindher,glidinginonasmoothforce-field.
Hehadeatensparinglythatevening,pickinglightlyatdishesconcerningwhichhehadreportedinfullinpastObservationsbutwhich(exceptforfact-searchingnibbles)hehadthusfarrefrainedfromeating.Againsthiswill,hehadlikedthem.Againsthiswill,hehadenjoyedthefoaming,lightgreen,peppermint-flavoreddrink(notquitealcoholic,somethingelse,rather)thatwascurrentlyfashionable.IthadnotexistedintheCenturytwophysioyearsearlier,priortothelatestRealityChange.
HetooktheseconddrinkfromtheMekkanowithanausterenodofthankstoNoys.
