"Robert A. Heinlein - Methuselahs Children" - читать интересную книгу автора (Heinlein Robert A)

He came instantly wide awake with a weapon in each hand . . . then
remembered where he was, relaxed, and looked around to see what had
wakened him.
It was a murmur of voices through the air duct. Poor soundproofing he
decided, and Mary must be entertaining callers-in which case he should not
be slug-a-bed. He got up, refreshed himself, strapped his best friends back
on his thighs, and went looking for his hostess.
As the door to the lounge dilated noiselessly in front of him the sound of
voices became loud and very interesting. The lounge was el-shaped and he
was out of sight; he hung back and listened shamelessly. Eavesdropping had
saved his skin on several occasions; it worried him not at all-he enjoyed it. A
man was saying, „Mary, you’re completely unreasonable! You know you’re
fond of me, you admit that marriage to me would be to your advantage. So
why won’t you?“
„I told you, Bork. Age difference.“
„That’s foolish. What do you expect? Adolescent romance? Oh, I admit that
I’m not as young as you are . . . but a woman needs an older man to look up
to and keep her steady. I’m not too old for you; I’m just at my prime.“
Lazarus decided that he already knew this chap well enough to dislike him.
Sulky voice.
Mary did not answer. The man went on: „Anyhow, I have a surprise for you
on that point. I wish I could tell you now, but . . . well, it’s a state secret.“
„Then don’t tell me. It can’t change my mind in any case, Bork.“
„Oh, but it would! Mmm . . . I will tell you-I know you can be trusted.“
„Now, Bork, you shouldn’t assume that-„
„It doesn’t matter; it will be public knowledge in a few days anyhow. Mary . . .
I’ll never grow old on you!“
„What do you mean?“ Lazarus decided that her tone was suddenly
suspicious.
„Just what I said. Mary, they’ve found the secret of eternal youth!“
„What? Who? How? When?“
„Oh, so now you’re interested, eh? Well, I won’t keep you waiting. You know
these old Johnnies that call themselves the Howard Families?’
„Yes . . . I’ve heard of them, of course,“ she admitted slowly. „But what of it?
They’re fakes.“
„Not at all. I know. The Administration has been quietly investigating their
claims. Some of them are unquestionably more than a hundred years old-and
still young!“
„That’s very hard to believe.“
„Nevertheless it’s true.“
„Well . . . how do they do it?“
„Ah! That’s the point. They claim that it is a simple matter of heredity, that
they live a long time because they come from long lived stock. But that’s
preposterous, scientifically incompatible with the established facts. The
Administration checked most carefully and the answer is certain: they have
the secret of staying young.“
„You can’t be sure of that.“
„Oh, come, Mary! You’re a dear girl but you’re questioning the expert opinion
of the best scientific brains in the world. Never mind. Here’s the part that is
confidential. We don’t have their secret yet-but we will have it shortly. Without