[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

"I see," said Helen, "you're fighting for the wife
and kids." "
He turned a weary face toward her. "Not exactly.
I'm a bachelor over there, but I do have a family to
think about; my sister is in command of the attack
unit I'm in. Oh, yes, the women are in it they're
little and tough, like you, Helen."
She touched his arm lightly. "How did you pick up
this?"
"That bum? You remember we were on the march.
We were retreating down that ditch from a surface
raid. I thought we had made good our escape when
all of a sudden a ring swooped down on us. Most of
the detachment scattered, but I'm a junior techni-
cian armed with the stasis ray. I tried to get my
equipment unlimbered to fight back, but I was burned
down before I could finish. Luckily it barely grazed
me. Several of the others were fried. I don't know
114 Robert A. Heinlein
yet whether or not Sis got hers. That's one of the
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
reasons why I'm in a hurry.
"One of the other techs who wasn't hit got his gear
set up and covered our retreat. I was dragged under-
ground and taken to a dressing station. The medicos
were about to work on me when I passed out and
came to in the Professor's study."
The doorbell rang and the Professor got up to
answer it. Helen and Robert followed him. It was
Howard, bearing spoils.
"Did you get everything?" Robert asked anxiously.
"I think so. Stinky was in, but I managed to bor-
row his books. The gun was harder, but I telephoned
a friend of mine and had him call back and ask for
Stinky. While he was out of the room, I lifted it.
Now I'm a criminal government property, too."
"You're a pal, Howard. After you hear the explana-
tion, youll agree that it was worth doing. Won't he,
Helen?"
"Absolutely!"
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
"Well, I hope you're right," he answered dubi-
ously. "I brought along something else, just in case.
Here it is." He handed Robert a book.
"Aerodynamics and Principles of Aircraft Con-
struction," Robert read aloud. "My God, yes! Thanks,
Howard."
In a few minutes, Monroe had his belongings as-
sembled and fastened to his person. He had an-
nounced that he was ready when the Professor checked
him:
"One moment, Robert. How do you know that
these books will go with you?"
"Why not? That's why I'm fastening them to me."
"Did your earthly clothing go through the first
time?"
"Noo " His brow furrowed. "Good grief. Doc,
what can I do? I couldn't possibly memorize what I
need to know."
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
"I don't know. Son. Let's think about it a bit." He
ELSEWHEN 115
broke off and stared at the ceiling. Helen touched his
hand.
"Perhaps I can help. Professor."
"In what way, Helen?"
"Apparently I don't metamorphize when I change
time tracks, I had the same clothes with me every-
where I went. Why couldn't I ferry this stuff over for
Bob?"
"Hm, perhaps you could."
"No, I couldn't let you do that," interposed Mon-
roe. "You might get killed or badly hurt.'
^ "I'll chance it.'
| "I've got an idea," put in Jenkins. "Couldn't Doc-
t. tor Frost set his instructions so that Helen would go
over and come right back? How about it. Doc?"
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
"Mmm, yes, perhaps." But Helen held up a hand.
"No good. The boodle might come bouncing back
with me. I'll go over without any return instructions.
I like the sound of this world of Bob's anyway. I may
stay there. Cut out the chivalry. Bob. One of the
i' things I liked about your world was the notion of
} treating men and women ali^e. Get unstuck from
that stuff and start hanging it on me. I'm going."
She looked like a Christmas tree when the dozen-
odd books had been tied to various parts of her solid
little figure, the automatic pistol strapped on, and
the two slide rules, one long and one short, stuck in
the pistol belt,
Howard fondled the large slide rule before he
fastened it on. "Take good care of this slipstick,
Bob," he said, "I gave up smoking for six months to
pay for it."
Frost seated the two side by side on the sofa in the
study. Helen slipped a hand into Bob's. When the
shining ball had been made to spin. Frost motioned
for Jenkins to leave, closed the door after him and
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
switched out the light. Then he started repeating [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]