Человек в высоком замке

           Whythiswasso,themajorhimselfdidnotknow;hewasparticularlyaddictedtothecollectingofoldmagazinesdealingwithU.S.brassbuttons,wellasthebuttonsthemselves.Itwasontheorderofcoinorstampcollecting;norationalexplanationcouldeverbegiven.Andhighpriceswerebeingpaidbywealthycollectors.

           "Iwillgiveyouanexample,"themajorhadsaid."Doyouknowwhatismeantby‘HorrorsofWar’cards?"HehadeyedChildanwithavidity.

           Searchinghismemory,Childanhadatlastrecalled.Thecardshadbeendispensed,duringhischildhood,withbubblegum.Acentapiece.Therehadbeenaseriesofthem,eachcarddepictingadifferenthorror.

           "Adearfriendofmine,"themajorhadgoneon,"collects‘HorrorsofWar.’Helacksbutone,now.TheSinkingofthePanay.Hehasofferedasubstantialsumofmoneyforthatparticularcard."

           "Flipcards,"Childanhadsaidsuddenly.

           "Sir?"

           "Weflippedthem.Therewasaheadandatailsideoneachcard."Hehadbeenabouteightyearsold."Eachofushadapackofflipcards.Westood,twoofus,facingeachother.Eachofusdroppedacardsothatitflippedintheair.Theboywhosecardlandedwiththeheadsideup,thesidewiththepicture,wonbothcards."Howenjoyabletorecallthosegooddays,thoseearlyhappydaysofhischildhood.

           Considering,MajorHumohadsaid,"Ihaveheardmyfrienddiscusshis‘HorrorsofWar’cards,andhehasnevermentionedthis.Itismyopinionthathedoesnotknowhowthesecardsactuallywereputtouse.