Robert Silverberg by Sailing to Byzantium

Author:Sailing to Byzantium
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2011-04-06T01:22:57+00:00

‘Timbuctoo, I think. Or New Chicago. I forget which one it was. She was telling us that she hoped to be in Timbuctoo for the closing-down party. But then Fenimon had some pressing reason for going to New Chicago. I can’t remember what they decided to do.’ Hawk gestured sadly.

‘Either way, a pity that she left Mohenjo before the new visitor came. She had such a rewarding time with you, after all: I’m sure she’d have found much to learn from him also.’

The unfamiliar term twanged an alarm deep in Phillips’s consciousness. ‘_Visitor?_’ he said, angling his head sharply towards Hawk. ‘What visitor do you mean?’

‘You haven’t met him yet? Oh, of course, you’ve only just arrived.’

Phillips moistened his lips. ‘I think I may have seen him. Long red hair?

Beard like this?’

‘That’s the one! Willoughby, he’s called. He’s — what? — a Viking, a pirate, something like that. Tremendous vigour and force. Remarkable person. We should have many more visitors, I think. They’re far superior to temporaries, everyone agrees. Talking with a temporary is a little like talking to one’s self, wouldn’t you say? They give you no significant illumination. But a visitor — someone like this Willoughby — or like you, Charles — a visitor can be truly enlightening, a visitor can transform one’s view of reality — ‘

‘Excuse me,’ Phillips said. A throbbing began behind his forehead.

‘Perhaps we can continue this conversation later, yes?’ He put the flats of his hands against the hot brick of the platform and hoisted himself swiftly from the pool. ‘At dinner, maybe — or afterwards — yes? All right?’ He set off at a quick half-trot back towards the passageway that led to the private baths.

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