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

any excitement or public notice, they are to be picked up and questioned.
We’ll get the secret-and you and I will never grow old! What do you think of
that? Eh?“
Mary answered very slowly, almost inaudibly, „It would be nice if everyone
could live a long time.“
„Huh? Yes, I suppose it would. But in any case you and I will receive the
treatment, whatever it is. Think about us, dear. Year after year after year of
happy, youthful marriage. Not less than a century. Maybe even—„
„Wait a moment, Bork. This ‚secret’ It wouldn’t be for everybody?“
„Well, now . . . that’s a matter of high policy. Population pressure is a pretty
unwieldy problem even now. In practice it might be necessary to restrict it to
essential personnel-and their wives. But don’t fret your lovely head about it;
you and I will have it.“
„You mean I’ll have it if I marry you.“
„Mmm . . . that’s a nasty way to put it, Mary. I’d do anything in the world for
you that I could-because I love you. But it would be utterly simple if you were
married to me. So say you will.“
„Let’s let that be for the moment. How do you propose to get this
‚secret’ out of them?“
Lazarus could almost hear his wise nod. „Oh, they’ll talk!“
„Do you mean to say you’d send them to Coventry if they didn’t?“
„Coventry? Hm! You don’t understand the situation at all, Mary; this isn’t any
minor social offense. This is treason- treason against the whole human race.
We’ll use means! Ways that the Prophets used . . . if they don’t cooperate
willingly.“
„Do you mean that? Why, that’s against the Covenant!“
„Covenant be damned! This is a matter of life and death- do you think we’d
let a scrap of paper stand in our way? You can’t bother with petty legalities in
the fundamental things: men live by-not something they will fight to the death
for. And that is precisely what this is. These . . . these dog-in-the-manger
scoundrels are trying to keep life itself from us. Do you think we’ll bow to
‚custom’ in an emergency like this?“
Mary answered in a hushed and horrified voice: „Do you really think the
Council will violate the Covenant?“
„Think so? The Action-in-Council was recorded last night. We authorized the
Administrator to use ‚full expediency.’“
Lazarus strained his ears through a long silence. At last Mary spoke.
„Bork-„
„Yes, my dear?“
„You’ve got to do something about this. You must stop it.“ „Stop it? You don’t
know what you’re saying. I couldn’t and I would not if I could.“
„But you must. You must convince the Council. They’re making a mistake, a
tragic mistake. There is nothing to be gained by trying to coerce those poor
people. There is no secret!“
„What? You’re getting excited, my dear. You’re setting your judgment up
against some of the best and wisest men on the planet. Believe me, we know
what we are doing. We don’t relish using harsh methods any more than you
do, but it’s for the general welfare. Look, I’m sorry I ever brought it up.
Naturally you are soft and gentle and warmhearted and I love you for it. Why
not marry me and not bother your head about matters of public policy?“