Человек в высоком замке

           Whenhehadfinishedwithhiscustomer,Childancalledtotheman,"Whodoyourepresent?"

           "EdfrankJewelry,"themanmumbledback.Hehadsethishamperdownononeofthecounters.

           "Neverheardofthem."Childansaunteredoverasthemanunfastenedthetopofthehamperandwithmuchwastedmotionopenedit.

           "Handwrought.Eachunique.Eachanoriginal.Brass,copper,silver.Evenhot-forgedblackiron."

           Childanglancedintothehamper.Metalonblackvelvet,peculiar."Nothanks.Notinmyline."

           "ThisrepresentsAmericanartistry.Contemporary."

           Shakinghisheadno,Childanwalkedbacktothecashregister.

           Foratimethemanstoodfoolingwithhisvelvetdisplayboardsandhamper.Hewasneithertakingtheboardsoutnorputtingthemback;heseemedtohavenoideawhathewasdoing.Hisarmsfolded,Childanwatched,thinkingaboutvariousproblemsoftheday.Attwohehadanappointmenttoshowsomeearlyperiodcups.Thenatthree—anotherbatchofitemsreturningfromtheCallabs,homefromtheirauthenticitytest.Hehadbeenhavingmoreandmorepiecesexamined,inthelastcoupleofweeks.EversincethenastyincidentwiththeColt.44.

           "Thesearenotplated,"themanwiththewickerhampersaid,holdingupacuffbracelet."Solidcopper."

           Childannoddedwithoutanswering.Themanwouldhangaroundforawhile,shufflehissamplesabout,butfinallyhewouldmoveon.

           Thetelephonerang.Childanansweredit.Customerinquiringaboutanancientrockingchair,veryvaluable,whichChildanwashavingmendedforhim.