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

of them, each from his own viewpoint, had seen the grosser aspects of the
trend building up against their revealed kin. But, while the acceptance of the
problem was unanimous, there were as many opinions about what to do
about it as there were people present. Lazarus let the discussion muddle
along for two hours before he held up a hand. „We aren’t getting anywhere,“
he stated, „and it looks like we won’t get anywhere tonight. Let’s take an
over-all look at it, hitting just the high spots:
„We can—„ He started ticking plans off on his fingers- „do nothing, sit tight,
and see what happens.
„We can junk the ‚Masquerade’ entirely, reveal our full numbers, and demand
our rights politically.
„We can sit tight on the surface and use our organization and money to
protect our revealed brethren, maybe haul ‚em back into the ‚Masquerade.’
„We can reveal ourselves and ask for a place to colonize where we can
live by ourselves.
„Or we can do something else. I suggest that you sort yourselves out
according to those four major points of view-say in the corners of the room,
starting clockwise in that far right hand corner-each group hammer out a plan
and get it ready to submit to the Families. And those of you who don’t favor
any of those four things gather in the middle of the room and start scrappin’
over just what it is you do think. Now, if I hear no objection, I am going to
declare this lodge recessed until midnight tomorrow night. How about it?“
No one spoke up. Lazarus Long’s streamlined version of parliamentary
procedure had them somewhat startled; they were used to long, leisurely
discussions until it became evident that one point of view had become
unanimous. Doing things in a hurry was slightly shocking.
But the man’s personality was powerful, his years gave him prestige, and his
slightly archaic way of speaking added to his patriarchal authority; nobody
argued.
„Okay,“ Lazarus announced, clapping his hands once. „Church is out until
tomorrow night.“ He stepped down from the platform.
Mary Sperling came up to him. „I would like to know you better,“ she said,
looking him in the eyes.
 „Sure, Sis. Why not?“
„Are you staying for discussion?“
„Could you come home with me?“
„Like to. I’ve no pressing business elsewhere.“
„Come then.“ She led him through the tunnel to the underground pool
connecting with Lake Michigan. He widened his eyes at the pseudo-Camden
but said nothing until they were submerged.
„Nice little car you’ve got.“
„Yes.“
„Has some unusual features.“
She smiled. „Yes. Among other things, it blows up-quite thoroughly-if anyone
tries to investigate it.“
„Good.“ He added, „You a designing engineer, Mary?“
„Me? Heavens, no! Not this past century, at least, and I no longer try to keep
up with such things. But you can order a car modified the way this one is
through the Families, if you want one. Talk to-„
„Never mind, I’ve no need for one. I just like gadgets that do what they were