Міжзірковий мандрівник
Chapter 20
“HowgoesitwiththeProfessor?”
Then,dimandfar,IcouldhearMorrell’stapsenunciatingthattheyhadputmeinthejacketanhourbefore,andthat,asusual,Iwasalreadydeaftoallknuckletalk.
“Heisagoodguy,”Oppenheimerrappedon.“Ialwayswassuspiciousofeducatedmugs,butheain’tbeenhurtnonebyhiseducation.Heissuresquare.Gotallthespunkintheworld,andyoucouldnotgethimtosquealordoublecrossinamillionyears.”
Toallofwhich,andwithamplification,EdMorrellagreed.AndImust,righthere,ereIgoawordfurther,saythatIhavelivedmanyyearsandmanylives,andthatinthosemanylivesIhaveknownproudmoments;butthattheproudestmomentIhaveeverknownwasthemomentwhenmytwocomradesinsolitarypassedthisappraisalofme.EdMorrellandJakeOppenheimerweregreatspirits,andinalltimenogreaterhonourwaseveraccordedmethanthisadmissionofmetotheircomradeship.Kingshaveknightedme,emperorshaveennobledme,and,askingmyself,Ihaveknownstatelymoments.YetofitallnothingdoIadjudgesosplendidasthisaccoladedeliveredbytwolifersinsolitarydeemedbytheworldastheverybottom-mostofthehumancesspool.
Afterwards,recuperatingfromthisparticularboutwiththejacket,IbroughtupmyvisittoJake’scellasaproofthatmyspiritdidleavemybody.ButJakewasunshakable.
