"Carolyn Ives Gilman - Okanoggan Falls" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gilman Carolyn Ives)

The raw anguish in his voice made even Captain Groton, lump of rubble that he was, pause. тАЬBut we
can,тАЭ he answered without malice. тАЬIt is not within your power to stop it. All you can do is reconcile
yourselves to the inevitable."
"How much time do we have?тАЭ Paula bit off her words as if they tasted bad.

"We realize you will need time to achieve acceptance, so we are prepared to give you two months."

The room practically exploded with protests and arguments.

At last the captain held up the blunt appendage that served him as a hand. тАЬVery well,тАЭ he said. тАЬI am
authorized to give you an extension. You may have three months."

Later, they learned that every captain up and down the valley had given the same extension. It had
obviously been planned in advance.

The room smoldered with outrage as the captain turned to leave, his job done. But before he could exit,
Susan Abernathy stepped into the doorway, along with the smell of brewing coffee from the hall outside.

"Captain Groton,тАЭ she said, тАЬwould you like to join us for coffee? It's a tradition after meetings."

"Thank you, madam,тАЭ he said, тАЬbut I must return to base."

"Susan,тАЭ she introduced herself, and, contrary to all etiquette, held out her hand.

The Wattesoon recoiled visibly. But in the next second he seemed to seize control of himself and, by
sheer force of will, extended his arm. Susan clasped it warmly, looking down into his pebbly eyes. тАЬSince
we are going to be neighbors, at least for the next few months, we might as well be civil,тАЭ she said.

"That is very foresighted of you, madam,тАЭ he answered.

"Call me Susan,тАЭ she said. тАЬWell, since you can't stay tonight, can I invite you to dinner tomorrow?"

The captain hesitated, and everyone expected another evasion, but at last he said, тАЬThat would be very
acceptable. Susan."

"Great. I'll call you with the details.тАЭ As the captain left, followed closely by his ensign, she turned to the
council. тАЬCan I bring you some coffee?"
****
"Ish. What did it feel like?тАЭ said her son Nick.

Susan had become something of a celebrity in the eleven-year-old set for having touched an alien.

"Dry,тАЭ she said, staring at the laptop on the dining room table. тАЬA little lumpy. Kind of like a lizard."

In the next room, Tom was on the phone. тАЬWarren, you're talking crazy,тАЭ he said. тАЬWe still might be able
to get some concessions. We're working on it. But if you start shooting at them, we're doomed. I don't
want to hear any more about toad hunts, okay?"

"Have you washed your hand?тАЭ Nick wanted to know.