"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 17 - Prison of Night" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

"I'm ill. Rotten with sores and something else. Starving. I can't get work. And IтАФI'veтАж"

"The church is waiting," said Brother Eldon quietly. "Enter it, kneel beneath the benediction light, confess
and receive forgiveness. Medicines are available and they will be given."

"Brother, will you speak for me to Major Khaftle? HeтАФ"

"One thing at a time, brother." Eldon was insistent. "First you must be given what help we have. After,
well, we shall see. Come now."

He took the quivering claw into his hand, feeling the febrile heat of the skin, recognizing the fever, the
disease. The man was dying and would die despite the antibiotics they could give. But he would not die
alone and he would die in peace. Brother Veac would see to that.

The young monk accepted his charge and glanced sharply at his superior. It was not his place to
question or to criticize, but he would not have been human had he not made a comment.

"It is late, brother, and cold."

"Yes."

"There is food and warmth within. You should rest now."

"And stop trying to act the young man, brother?" Eldon smiled as the other looked abashed. "Am I so
old you think I have forgotten to remember how I thought when young? Take care of our friend now. Is
Brother Biul available? Good." Then lowering his voice he whispered, "The infirmary, I think. There is
room? Then see he has a place. I fear that he will not be with us for long."

But first came the easing of his heart and soul. To kneel beneath the swirling bowl of colored light, to
drift into a hypnotic condition, to unburden himself, to suffer subjective penance and then to be given the
bread of forgiveness. And if most of those coming to the church did so for the sake of the wafer of
concentrates then it was a fair exchange. For each who knelt beneath the light was conditioned not to kill.

"Brother!" Biul looked up from where he sat busy with papers and rose as Eldon entered the office.
"You must be frozen! Why must you be so stubborn? You are too old to act this way."

Older than Veac the monk cared less for diplomacy and long friendship had given him a casual
familiarity. Now he bustled around, fetching a warm blanket, filling a bowl with soup, standing over Eldon
while he ate. Only when the bowl was empty did he permit the older man to speak.

"Biul, you have all the attributes of a bully," said Eldon mildly. "If I didn't know you meant well I might
even be annoyed."

"As I will be unless you take better care of yourself. We need youтАФand do I have to remind you that
self-injury is a sin?" Biul cleared away the bowl, rearranged the blanket then said, "Well?"

"Little. A few coins."

"And?"