"Robert A. Heinlein - Orphans of the Sky " - читать интересную книгу автора (Heinlein Robert A)

and Pride of Spirit sought for minds to lodge their seeds. One there was who
gave them lodging: accursed Huff, the first to sin! His evil counsel stirred
rebellion, planted doubt where it had not been; Blood of martyrs stained the
floor plates, Jordan’s Captain made the Trip. Darkness swallowed up—„

The old man gave the boy the back of his hand, sharp across the mouth.
„Try again!“
„From the beginning?“
„No! From where you missed.“
The boy hesitated, then caught his stride: „Darkness swallowed ways of
virtue, Sin prevailed through out the Ship . .“
The boy’s voice droned on, stanza after stanza, reciting at great length but
with little sharpness of detail the dim, old story of sin, rebellion, and the time
of darkness. How wisdom prevailed at last and the bodies of the rebel
leaders were fed to the Converter. How some of the rebels escaped making
the Trip and lived to father the muties. How a new Captain was chosen, after
prayer and sacrifice. Hugh stirred uneasily, shuffling his feet. No doubt the
answers to his questions were there, since these were the Sacred Lines, but
he had not the wit to understand them. Why? What was it all about? Was
there really nothing more to life than eating and sleeping and finally the long
Trip? Didn’t Jordan intend for him to understand? Then why this ache in his
breast? This hunger that persisted in spite of good eating?
While he was breaking his fast after sleep an orderly came to the door of his
uncle’s compartments. „The scientist requires the presence of Hugh
Hoyland,“ be recited glibly.
Hugh knew that the scientist referred to was lieutenant Nelson, in charge of
the spiritual and physical welfare of the Ship’s sector which included Hugh’s
flative vilage. He bolted the last of his breakfast and hurried after the
messenger.
„Cadet Hoyland!“ he was announced. The scientist locked up from his own
meal and said:
„Oh, yes. Come in, my boy. Sit down. Have you eaten?“
Hugh acknowjedged that he had, but his eyes rested with interest on the
fancy fruit In front of his superior. Nelson followed his glance. „Try some of
these figs. They’re a new mutation; I had them brought all the way from the
far side. Go ahead—a man your age always has somewhere to stow a few
more bites.“
Hugh accepted with much self-consciousness. Never before had he eaten in
the presence of a scientist. The elder leaned back in his chair, wiped his
fingers on his shirt, arranged his beard, and started in.
„I haven’t seen you lately, son. Tell me what you have been doing with
yourself.“ Before Hugh could reply he went on: „No, don’t tell me; I will tell
you. For one thing you have been exploring, climbing, without too much
respect for the forbidden areas. Is it not so?“ He held the young man’s eye.
Hugh fumbled for a reply.
But he was let off again. „Never mind. I know, and you know that I know. I am
not too displeased. But it has brought it forcibly to my attention that it is time
that you decided what you are to do with your life. Have you any plans?“
„Well, no definite ones, sir.“
„How about that girl, Edris Baxter? D’you intend to marry her?“