Человек в высоком замке

           Thenameforitisneitherart,forithasnoform,norreligion.Whatisit?Ihaveponderedthispinunceasingly,yetcannotfathomit.Weevidentlylackthewordforanobjectlikethis.Soyouareright,Robert.Itisauthenticallyanewthingonthefaceoftheworld."

           Authentic,Childanthought.Yes,itcertainlyis.Icatchthatnotion.Butastotherest—

           "Havingmeditatedtothisavail,"Paulcontinued,"Inextcalledbackinheretheselfsamebusinessacquaintances.Itookituponmyself,asIhavedonewithyoujustnow,todeliveranexpostulationdevoidoftact.Thissubjectcarriesauthoritywhichcompelsanabandonmentofpropriety,sogreatisthenecessityofdeliveringtheawarenessitself.Irequiredthattheseindividualslisten."

           ChildanknewthatforaJapanesesuchasPaultoforcehisideasonotherpersonswasanalmostincrediblesituation.

           "Theresult,"Paulsaid,"wassanguine.Theywereabletoadoptundersuchduressmyviewpoint;theyperceivedwhatIhaddelineated.Soitwasworthit.Havingdonethat,Irested.Nothingmore,Robert.Iamexhausted."Helaidthepinbackinthebox."Responsibilitywithmehasended.Discharged."HepushedtheboxtoChildan.

           "Sir,it’syours,"Childansaid,feelingapprehensive;thesituationdidnotfitanymodelhehadeverexperienced.Ahigh-placedJapaneselaudingtotheskiesagiftgraftedtohim—andthenreturningit.Childanfelthiskneeswobble.Hedidnothaveanyideawhattodo;hestoodpluckingathissleeve,hisfaceflushing.