Prelude to Space (Arthur C. Clarke Collection) by Arthur C. Clarke

Author:Arthur C. Clarke [Clarke, Arthur C.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
ISBN: 9780795325632
Publisher: RosettaBooks
Published: 2012-11-30T05:00:00+00:00

Well, young man, is there?”

“For some people—yes,” said Hassell. “And perhaps when space flight arrives they’ll all rush off to the planets and leave the Lotus Eaters to their dreams. That should satisfy everybody.”

“And the meek shall inherit the Earth, eh?” said his companion, who seemed to have a very literary turn of mind.

“You could put it that way,” smiled Hassell. He looked automatically at his watch, determined not to become involved in an argument which could have only one result.

“Dear me, I must be going. Thanks for the talk.”

He rose to leave, thinking he’d preserved his incognito rather well. The stranger gave him a curious little smile and said quietly: “Good-bye.” He waited until Hassell had gone twenty feet, then called after him in a louder voice: “And good luck—Ulysses!”

Hassell stopped dead, then swiveled round in his tracks—but the other was already walking briskly in the direction of Hyde Park Corner. He watched the tall, spare figure lose itself in the crowd; and only then did he say to himself explosively: “Well I’ll be damned!”

Then he shrugged his shoulders and walked on towards Marble Arch, intending to listen once again to the soapbox orators who had given him so much amusement in his youth.

It did not take Dirk long to realize that the coincidence was hardly so surprising after all. Hassell, he remembered, lived in the West London area. What was more natural than that he, too, should be taking his last look at the city? It might well be his last in a far more final sense than Dirk’s.

Their eyes met across the crowd. Hassell gave a little start of recognition, but Dirk did not suppose he would remember him by name. He pushed his way toward the young pilot and introduced himself somewhat awkwardly. Hassell would probably prefer to be left alone, but he could scarcely turn aside without speaking. Moreover, he had always wanted to meet the Englishman and this seemed far too good an opportunity to miss.

“Did you hear that last talk?” asked Dirk, by way of starting the conversation.

“Yes,” replied Hassell. “I happened to be passing and overheard what the old chap was saying. I’ve often seen him here before; he’s one of the saner specimens. It’s rather a mixed bag, isn’t it?” He laughed and waved in the general direction of the crowd.

“Very,” said Dirk. “But I’m glad I’ve seen the place in action. It’s quite an experience.”

As he spoke, he studied Hassell carefully. It was not easy to judge his age, which might have been anything from twenty-five to thirty-five. He was slightly built, with clearcut features and unruly brown hair. A scar from an early rocket crash ran diagonally across his left cheek, but was only visible now and then when the skin became taut.

“After listening to that talk,” said Dirk, “I must say that the Universe doesn’t sound a very attractive place. It’s not surprising that a lot of people would prefer to stay at home.”

Hassell laughed.

“It’s funny you should say that; I’ve just been talking to an old fellow who was making the same point.

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