Человек в высоком замке

           Skippingaboutwithagitation.Butthismightwellbeabadomen.

           "Mr.Childan,"Mr.Tagomisaid,placinghisbriefcaseonthecounterandunzippingit,"Iwishtotradeinanitemboughtseveralyearsago.Youdothat,Irecollect."

           "Yes,"Mr.Childansaid."Dependingoncondition,forinstance."Hewatchedalertly.

           "Colt.44revolver,"Mr.Tagomisaid.

           Theywerebothsilent,regardingthegunasitlayinitsopenteakwoodboxwithitscartonofpartlyconsumedammunition.

           ShadecolderbyMr.Childan.Ah,Mr.Tagomirealized.Well,sobeit."Youarenotinterested,"Mr.Tagomisaid.

           "Nosir,"Mr.Childansaidinastiffvoice.

           "Iwillnotpressit."Hedidnotfeelanystrength.Iyield.Yin,theadaptive,receptive,holdsswayinme,Ifear.

           "Forgiveme,Mr.Tagomi."

           Mr.Tagomibowed,replacedthegun,ammunition,box,inhisbriefcase.Destiny.Imustkeepthisthing.

           "Youseemquitedisappointed,"Mr.Childansaid.

           "Younotice."Hewasperturbed;hadhelethisinnerworldoutforalltoview?Heshrugged.Certainlyitwasso.

           "Wasthereaspecialreasonwhyyouwantedtotradethatitemin?"Mr.Childansaid.

           "No,"hesaid,oncemoreconcealinghispersonalworld—asshouldbe.

           Mr.Childanhesitated,thensaid,"I—wonderifthatdidemanatefrommystore.Idonotcarrythatitem."

           "Iamsure,"Mr.Tagomisaid."Butitdoesnotmatter.Iacceptyourdecision;Iamnotoffended."

           "Sir,"Childansaid,"allowmetoshowyouwhathascomein.Areyoufreeforamoment?"

           Mr.