"H. Beam Piper - Graveyard of Dreams" - читать интересную книгу автора (Piper H Beam)

of the Terran Federation services had provided the material, but Charley's shirt was Medical Service sterilon.

Ashamed that he was noticing and thinking of such things at a time like this, he clasped his father's hand and
kissed his mother and Flora. Everybody was talking at once, saying things that he heard only as happy sounds.
His brother's words were the first that penetrated as words.

"You didn't know me," Charley was accusing. "Don't deny it; I saw you standing there wondering if I was
Flora's new boy friend or what."

"Well, how in Niflheim'd you expect me to? You've grown up since the last time I saw you. You're looking
great, kid!" He caught the gleam of Lynne's golden hair beyond Charley's shoulder and pushed him gently
aside. "Lynne!"

"Conn, you look just wonderful!" Her arms were around his neck and she was kissing him. "Am I still your
girl, Conn?"

He crushed her against him and returned her kisses, assuring her that she was. He wasn't going to let it make a
bit of difference how her father took the newsтИТтИТif she didn't.

She babbled on: "You didn't get mixed up with any of those girls on Terra, did you? If you did, don't tell me
about it. All I care about is that you're back. Oh, Conn, you don't know how much I missed you ... Mother,
Dad, doesn't he look just splendid?"

Kurt Fawzi, a little thinner, his face more wrinkled, his hair grayer, shook his hand.

"I'm just as glad to see you as anybody, Conn," he said, "even if I'm not being as demonstrative about it as
Lynne. Judge, what do you think of our returned wanderer? Franz, shake hands with him, but save the
interview for the News for later. Professor, here's one student Litchfield Academy won't need to be ashamed
of."

Graveyard of Dreams 5
 Graveyard of Dreams
He shook hands with themтИТтИТold Judge Ledue; Franz Veltrin, the newsman; Professor Kellton; a dozen others,
some of whom he had not thought of in five years. They were all cordial and happyтИТтИТhow much, he
wondered, because he was their neighbor, Conn Maxwell, Rodney Maxwell's son, home from Terra, and how
much because of what they hoped he would tell them? Kurt Fawzi, edging him out of the crowd, was the first
to voice that.

"Conn, what did you find out?" he asked breathlessly. "Do you know where it is?"

Conn hesitated, looking about desperately; this was no time to start talking to Kurt Fawzi about it. His father
was turning toward him from one side, and from the other Tom Brangwyn and Colonel Zareff were
approaching more slowly, the older man leaning on a silverтИТheaded cane.

"Don't bother him about it now, Kurt," Rodney Maxwell scolded the mayor. "He's just gotten off the ship; he
hasn't had time to say hello to everybody yet."

"But, Rod, I've been waiting to hear what he's found out ever since he went away," Fawzi protested in a hurt
tone.