"Robert A. Heinlein - Space Cadet" - читать интересную книгу автора (Heinlein Robert A)

score as possible."
"Whew!" said Matt.
Still, the test looked simple-one lever, two pushbuttons, two colored lights,
two little gates. Once he mastered the instructions, it would be as easy as
flying a kite, and a durn sight simpler than flying a copter!-Matt had had his
copter license since he was twelve. He got to work.
First, he told himself, there seems to be just two ways to
make a score, one with the red light on and one with both lights out and
one gate open.
Now for the other instructions- Let's see, if the lefthand gate is not closed-
no, if the lefthand gate is closed-he stopped and read them over again.
Some minutes later he had sixteen possible positions of gates and
conditions of lights listed. He checked them against the instructions, Seeking
scoring combinations. When he was through he stared at the result, then
checked everything over again.


10
 After rechecking he stared at the paper, whistled tunelessly, and
scratched his head. Then he picked up the paper, left the booth, and went to
the examiner.
That official looked up. "No questions, please."
"I don't have a question," Matt said. "I want to report something. There's
something wrong with that test. Maybe the wrong instructions sheet was put
in there. In any case, there is no possible way to make a score under the
instructions that are in there."
"Oh, come, now!" the examiner answered. "Are you sure of that?"
Matt hesitated, then answered firmly, "I'm sure of it, Want to see my
proof?"
"No. Your name is Dodson?" The examiner glanced at a timer, then wrote
on a chart. "That's all."
"But- Don't I get a chance to make a score?"
"No questions, please! I've recorded your score. Get along -it's dinner
time."
There were a large number of vacant places at dinner. Cadet Sabbatello
looked down the long table. "I see there have been some casualties," he
remarked. "Congratulations, gentlemen, for having survived thus far."
"Sir-does that mean we've passed all the tests we took today?" one of the
candidates asked.
"Or at least won a retest. You haven't flunked." Matt sighed with relief.
"Don't get your hopes up. There will be still fewer of you here tomorrow."
"Does it get worse?" the candidate went on.
Sabbatello grinned wickedly. "Much worse. I advise you
all to eat little at breakfast. However," he went on, "I have good news, too.
It is rumored that the Commandant himself is coming down to Terra to honor
you "with his presence when you are sworn in-if you are sworn in."
Most of those present looked blank. The cadet glanced around. "Come,
come, gentlemen!" he said sharply. "Surely not all of you are that ignorant.
You!" He addressed Matt. "Mister, uh-Dodson. You seem to have some
glimmering of what I am talking about. Why should you feel honored at the