"William Morrison - Galaxy - 1953-10 - The Model of a Judge" - читать интересную книгу автора (Morrison William)

THE MODEL
OF A JUDGE
Should a former outlaw become
a judgeтАФeven if he need only
pass sentence on a layer cake?

By WILLIAM MORRISON

Ronar was reformed, if that was the right word, but he could see that they didn't trust him.
Uneasiness spoke in their awkward hurried motions when they came near him; fear looked out of their
eyes. He had to reassure himself that all this would pass. In time they'd learn to regard him as one of
themselves and cease to recall what he had once been. For the time being, however, they still
remembered. And so did he.
Mrs. Claymore, of the presiding committee, was babbling, "Oh, Mrs. Silver, it's so good of you to
come. Have you entered the contest?"
"Not really," said Mrs. Silver with a modest laugh. "Of course I don't expect to win against so many
fine women who are taking part. But I just thought I'd enter toтАФto keep things interesting."
"That was very kind of you. But don't talk about not winning. I still remember some of the dishes you
served for dinner at your home that time George and I paid you a visit. MmmmтАФthey were really
delicious."
Mrs. Silver uttered another little laugh. "Just ordinary recipes. I'm so glad you liked them, though."
"I certainly did. And I'm sure the judge will like your cake, too." "The judge? Don't you usually have a
committee?"

He could hear every word. They had no idea how sharp his sense of hearing was, and he had no
desire to disconcert them further byletting them know. He could hear every conversation taking place in
ordinary tones in the large reception room. When he concen-trated he could make out the whispers. At
this point he had to con-centrate, for Mrs. Claymore leaned over and breathed into her friend's attentive
ear.
"My dear, haven't you heard? We've had such trouble with that committeeтАФthere were such charges
of favoritism! It was really awful."
"Really? But how did you find a judge, then?"
"Don't look nowтАФno, I'll tell you what to do. Pretend I said something funny, and throw your head
back and laugh. Take a quick glance at him while you do. He's sitting up there alone, on the platform. "
Mrs. Silver laughed gracefully as directed, and her eyes swept the platform. She became so excited,
she almost forgot to whisper. "Why, he'sтАФ"
"Shhh. Lower your voice, my dear."
"WhyтАФhe isn't human!"
"He's supposed to beтАФnow. But, of course, that's a matter of opinion! "
"But who on Earth thought of making him judge?"
"No one on Earth. Professor Holder, who lives over on that big asteroid the other side of yours, heard
of the troubles we had, and came up with the suggestion. At first it seemed absurdтАФ"
"It certainly seems absurd to me!" agreed Mrs. Silver.
"It was the only thing we could do. There was no one else we could trust. "
"But what does he know about cakes?"
"My dear, he has the most exquisite sense of taste!"
 "I still don't understand."
"It's superhuman. Before we adopted Professor Holder's sug-gestion, we gave him a few tests. The
results simply left us gasping. We could mix all sorts of spicesтАФthe most delicate, most exotic herbs from
Venus or Mars, and the strongest, coarsest flavors from Earth or one of the plant-growing