День триффидов
Conference
Butifwetrytolookafterjustafewandgivethemwhathappinesswecan,weshallbepayingbackalittle—justatinypartofwhatweowe.Youdoseethat,don’tyou,Bill?"
Iturneditoverinmymindforaminuteormore.
"Ithink,"Isaid,"thatthat’sthequeerestargumentI’veheardtoday—ifnotever.Andyet—"
"Andyetit’sright,isn’tit,Bill?Iknowit’sright.I’vetriedtoputmyselfintheplaceofoneofthoseblindgirls,andIknow.Weholdthechanceofasfullalifeastheycanhave,forsomeofthem.Shallwegiveitthemaspartofourgratitude—orshallwesimplywithholditonaccountoftheprejudiceswe’vebeentaught?That’swhatitamountsto."
Isatsilentlyforatime.Ihadnotamoment’sdoubtthatJosellameanteverywordshesaid.Iruminatedalittleonthewaysofpurposeful,subversive-mindedwomenlikeFlorenceNightingaleandElizabethFry.Youcan’tdoanythingwithsuchwomen—andtheysooftenturnouttohavebeenrightafterall.
"Verywell,"Isaidatlast."Ifthat’sthewayyouthinkitoughttobe.ButIhope—"
Shecutmeshort.
"Oh,Bill,Iknewyou’dunderstand.Oh,I’mglad—soveryglad.You’vemademesohappy."
Afteratime:
"Ihope—"Ibeganagain.
Josellapattedmyhand.
"Youwon’tneedtoworryatall,mydear.Ishallchoosetwonice,sensiblegirls."
"Oh,"Isaid.
Wewentonsittingthereonthewallhandinhand,lookingatthedappledtrees—butnotseeingthemverymuch;atleastIwasn’t
