We / Мы. Книга для чтения на английском языке

Still, how could they write whole libraries of books about some Kant, yet scarcely notice Taylor, that prophet who was able to see ten centuries ahead?

Breakfast is over. The Hymn of the One State is sung in unison. In perfect rhythm, by fours, we walk to the elevators. The faint hum of motors, and quickly – down, down, down, with a slight sinking of the heart…

Then suddenly again that stupid dream – or some implicit function of the dream. Oh, yes, the other day – the descent in the aero. However, all that is over.

Period. And it is good that I was so decisive and sharp with her.

In the car of the underground I sped to the place where the graceful body of the Integral, still motionless, not yet animated by fire, gleamed in the sun. Shutting my eyes, I dreamed in formulas. Once more I calculated in my mind the initial velocity needed to tear the Integral away from the earth. Each fraction of a second the mass of the Integral would change (expenditure of the explosive fuel).

The equation was very complex, with transcendental values.

As through a dream – in that firm world of numbers – someone sat down, next to me, jostled me slightly, said, “Sorry.”

I opened my eyes a little. At first glance (association with the Integral), something rushing into space: a head – rushing because at either side of it stood out pink wing-ears. Then the curve at the heavy back of the head, the stooped shoulders – double-curved – the letter S…And through the glass walls of my algebraic world, again that eyelash – something unpleasant that I must do today.

“Oh, no, it’s nothing. Certainly.” I smiled at my neighbor, bowing to him. The number S-4711 glinted from his badge. So this was why I had associated him from the very first with the letter S: a visual impression, unrecorded by the conscious mind. His eyes glinted – two sharp little drills, revolving rapidly, boring deeper and deeper – in a moment they would reach the very bottom and see what I would not… even to myself…

That troubling eyelash suddenly became entirely clear to me.

He was one of them, one of the Guardians, and it was simplest to tell him everything at once, without delay.

“You know, I was at the Ancient House yesterday…” My voice was strange, somehow flattened out I tried to clear my throat.

“Why, that’s excellent. It gives material for very instructive conclusions.