[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
healthy as we are. Without hardened surfaces, our houses and buildings would
weather
and wear out in the same old way. We wouldn't have superpenetrating tools and
atomic-resisting surfaces. We wouldn't have meteor-proof rocket ships, and
even the Moon might still be out of our reach."
"Don't tell me that you admire the old man," said Perry in alarm.
"I think I do. Ancestor. He could be more practical, but for the theoretical
type, he didn't do so badly."
"Maybe he didn't but I did. The day I met him was the most disappointing day
of my life. Threw five hundred dollars out of the window just because that
fellow promised "
Perry interrupted himself. "Have some of these delicious Martian trek-nuts,
Alan."
"Thanks. Ancestor. Kind of salty, aren't they? Must have come out of the
bottom of the box."
Perry smiled sourly. "Promised results in a week and it's over a hundred and
thirty years, and he still hasn't solved it. He just isn't the practical type,
lad. After all this time, that should be clear enough."
Page 7
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]