"Robert A. Heinlein - The Man who sold the Moon (collected sto" - читать интересную книгу автора (Heinlein Robert A)

shortly he came out with a perturbed look on his face. "Ed, did you touch
her?"
"No, Doctor." Pinero ducked back again, remained a little longer. When
he came out this time, he told the girl to get down and dress. He turned to her
husband.
"Ed, make yourself ready."
"What's Betty's reading, Doctor?"
"There is a little difficulty. I want to test you first."
When he came out from taking the youth's reading, his face was more
troubled than ever. Ed inquired as to his trouble. Pinero shrugged his
shoulders, and brought a smile to his lips.
"Nothing to concern you, my boy. A little mechanical misadjustment, I
think. But I shan't be able to give you two your readings today. I shall need to
overhaul my machine. Can you come back tomorrow?"
"Why, I think so. Say, I'm sorry about your machine. I hope it isn't
serious."
"It isn't, I'm sure. Will you come back into my office, and visit for a bit?"
"Thank you, Doctor. You are very kind."
"But Ed, I've got to meet Ellen."
Pinero turned the full force of his personality on her.
"Won't you grant me a few moments, my dear young lady? I am old and
like the sparkle of young folk's company. I get very little of it. Please." He
nudged them gently into his office, and seated them. Then he ordered
lemonade and cookies sent in, offered them cigarettes, and lit a cigar.
Forty minutes later Ed listened entranced, while Betty was quite
evidently acutely nervous and anxious to leave, as the doctor spun out a
story concerning his adventures as a young man in Tierra del Fuego. When
the doctor stopped to relight his cigar, she stood up.
"Doctor, - we really must leave. Couldn't we hear the rest tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow? There will not be time tomorrow."
"But you haven't time today either. Your secretary has rung five times."
"Couldn't you spare me just a few more minutes?"
"I really can't today, doctor. I have an appointment. There is someone
waiting for me."
"There is no way to induce you?"
"I'm afraid not. Come, Ed."
After they had gone, the doctor stepped to the window and stared out
over the city. Presently he picked out two tiny figures as they left the office
13
building. He watched them hurry to the corner, wait for the lights to change,
then start across the street. When they were part way across, there came the
scream of a siren. The two little figures hesitated, started back, stopped, and
turned. Then the car was upon them. As the car slammed to a stop, they
showed up from beneath it, no longer two figures, but simply a limp
unorganized heap of clothing.
Presently the doctor turned away - from the window. Then he picked up
his phone, and spoke to his secretary.
"Cancel my appointments for the rest of the day.... No... No one... I
don't care; cancel them." Then he sat down in his chair. His cigar went out.
Long after dark he held it, still unlighted.