Человек в высоком замке

           Tagomifeltwithinhimtheoldstirring."Somethingofunusualinterest?"

           "Come,sir."Childanledthewayacrossthestore;Mr.Tagomifollowed.

           Withinalockedglasscase,ontraysofblackvelvet,laysmallmetalswirls,shapesthatmerelyhintedratherthanwere.TheygaveMr.Tagomiaqueerfeelingashestoopedtostudy.

           "Ishowtheseruthlesslytoeachofmycustomers,"RobertChildansaid."Sir,doyouknowwhattheseare?"

           "Jewelry,itappears,"Mr.Tagomisaid,noticingapin.

           "TheseareAmerican-made.Yesofcourse.But,sir.Thesearenottheold."

           Mr.Tagomiglancedup.

           "Sir,thesearethenew."RobertChildan’swhite,somewhatdrabfeaturesweredisturbedbypassion."Thisisthenewlifeofmycountry,sir.Thebeginningintheformoftinyimperishableseeds.Ofbeauty."

           Withdueinterest,Mr.Tagomitooktimetoexamineinhisownhandsseveralofthepieces.Yes,thereissomethingnewwhichanimatesthese,hedecided.TheLawofTaoisborneout,here;whenyinlieseverywhere,thefirststirringoflightissuddenlyaliveinthedarkestdepths…weareallfamiliar;wehaveseenithappenbefore,asIseeitherenow.Andyetformetheyarejustscraps.Icannotbecomerapt,asMr.R.Childan,here.Unfortunately,forbothofus.Butthatisthecase.

           "Quitelovely,"hemurmured,layingdownthepieces.Mr.Childansaidinaforcefulvoice,"Sir,itdoesnotoccuratonce."

           "Pardon?"

           "Thenewviewinyourheart."

           "Youareconverted,"Mr.Tagomisaid."IwishIcouldbe.Iamnot."Hebowed.