"Arthur Tofte - Walls within Walls" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tofte Arthur)

Ralf and I looked at each other a bit bewildered. We had never said
goodbye to each other before. Through eyes half filled with tears we merely
gazed wonderingly at the other's face.

"One last word, Ralf," our father said. "If you love Rolf, you must never
mention to anyone that you have a twin brother. Or if it should slip out
accidentally, just say he was your imaginary playmate. Do you promise?"

I saw Ralf nod, unable to say anything.

Then our mother stood up and after throwing her arms around Ralf,
took me by the hand and led me down to the basement. There, she led me
to the corner where bricks had been piled waiting for later use. She moved
a number of them to reveal a small door which she pushed inward. She
motioned for me to follow her in.

It was not a large room I entered. It had a narrow cot, a table, and
chair that tilted back. There were electric lights. There was even a small
viviscreen viewer. One corner had been partitioned off to make a toilet
and shower room.

I looked around in dumbfounded amazement. It was a room in our
house I didn't know existed. What did it mean? Was I supposed to stay
here? I turned to face my mother, but she put her hands in front of her
eyes and would not return my questioning gaze.

"Your father will come down, Rolf," she said. "He will explain what all
this means."

She paused.

"Just remember, Rolf, that what we do is out of love for you. Your
father and I love you very much. Now, just stay here until your father
comes to you. Whatever you do, make no sounds and do not leave this
room."


Chapter II
I was seated on the cot. My father sat opposite me in the chair. He
looked unhappy.

"This room," he said to me, "is to be your home from now on."

"But why?" I asked, still not understanding what this room meant or
why I should stay here.

Father shook his head sorrowfully. "Take off your shoes," he said.

I obeyed the strange command.