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diff --git a/old/61007-h.zip b/old/61007-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 81d1f4a..0000000 --- a/old/61007-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/61007-h/61007-h.htm b/old/61007-h/61007-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index c01e5ab..0000000 --- a/old/61007-h/61007-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,968 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=us-ascii" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of In the Garden, by R. A. Lafferty. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -.caption {font-weight: bold;} - -/* Images */ -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -div.titlepage { - text-align: center; - page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; -} - -div.titlepage p { - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0em; - font-weight: bold; - line-height: 1.5; - margin-top: 3em; -} - -.ph1 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; } -.ph1 { font-size: large; margin: .83em auto; } - - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of In the Garden, by R. A. Lafferty - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll -have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using -this ebook. - - - -Title: In the Garden - -Author: R. A. Lafferty - -Release Date: December 23, 2019 [EBook #61007] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN THE GARDEN *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="347" height="500" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<p class="ph1">IT WAS A DULL, ROUTINE LITTLE<br /> -WORLD. IT DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A<br /> -CITY. EVERYTHING IT HAD WAS</p> - -<h1>IN THE GARDEN</h1> - -<h2>BY R. A. LAFFERTY</h2> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from<br /> -Worlds of If Science Fiction, March 1961.<br /> -Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that<br /> -the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>The protozoic recorder chirped like a bird. Not only would there be -life traces on that little moon, but it would be a lively place. So -they skipped several steps in the procedure.</p> - -<p>The chordata discerner read <i>Positive</i> over most of the surface. There -was spinal fluid on that orb, rivers of it. So again they omitted -several tests and went to the cognition scanner. Would it show Thought -on the body?</p> - -<p>Naturally they did not get results at once, nor did they expect to; it -required a fine adjustment. But they were disappointed that they found -nothing for several hours as they hovered high over the rotation. Then -it came—clearly and definitely, but from quite a small location only.</p> - -<p>"Limited," said Steiner, "as though within a pale. As though there were -but one city, if that is its form. Shall we follow the rest of the -surface to find another, or concentrate on this? It'll be twelve hours -before it's back in our ken if we let it go now."</p> - -<p>"Let's lock on this one and finish the scan. Then we can do the rest of -the world to make sure we've missed nothing," said Stark.</p> - -<p>There was one more test to run, one very tricky and difficult of -analysis, that with the Extraordinary Perception Locator. This was -designed simply to locate a source of superior thought. But this might -be so varied or so unfamiliar that often both the machine and the -designer of it were puzzled as to how to read the results.</p> - -<p>The E. P. Locator had been designed by Glaser. But when the Locator -had refused to read <i>Positive</i> when turned on the inventor himself, -bad blood developed between machine and man. Glaser knew that he had -extraordinary perception. He was a much honored man in his field. He -told the machine so heatedly.</p> - -<p>The machine replied, with such warmth that its relays chattered, that -Glaser did <i>not</i> have extraordinary perception; he had only ordinary -perception to an extraordinary degree. There is a <i>difference</i>, the -machine insisted.</p> - -<p>It was for this reason that Glaser used that model no more, but built -others more amenable. And it was for this reason also that the owners -of Little Probe had acquired the original machine so cheaply.</p> - -<p>And there was no denying that the Extraordinary Perception Locator (or -Eppel) was a contrary machine. On Earth it had read <i>Positive</i> on a -number of crack-pots, including Waxey Sax, a jazz tootler who could not -even read music. But it had also read <i>Positive</i> on ninety per cent of -the acknowledged superior minds of the Earth. In space it had been a -sound guide to the unusual intelligences encountered. Yet on Suzuki-Mi -it had read <i>Positive</i> on a two-inch-long worm, only one of them out of -billions. For the countless identical worms no trace of anything at all -was shown by the test.</p> - -<p>So it was with mixed expectations that Steiner locked onto the area -and got a flick. He then narrowed to a smaller area (apparently one -individual, though this could not be certain) and got very definite -action. Eppel was busy. The machine had a touch of the ham in it, and -assumed an air of importance when it ran these tests.</p> - -<p>Finally it signaled the result, the most exasperating result it ever -produces: the single orange light. It was the equivalent of the shrug -of the shoulders in a man. They called it the "You tell <i>me</i> light."</p> - -<p>So among the intelligences there was at least one that might be -extraordinary, though possibly in a crackpot way. It is good to be -forewarned.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Scan the remainder of the world, Steiner," said Stark, "and the rest -of us will get some sleep. If you find no other spot then we will go -down on that one the next time it is in position under us, in about -twelve hours."</p> - -<p>"You don't want to visit any of the other areas first? Somewhere away -from the thoughtful creature?"</p> - -<p>"No. The rest of the world may be dangerous. There must be a reason -that thought is in one spot only. If we find no others then we will go -down boldly and visit this."</p> - -<p>So they all, except Steiner, went off to their bunks then: Stark, the -Captain; Gregory Gilbert, the executive officer; Wolfgang Langweilig, -the engineer; Casper Craig, super-cargo, tycoon and 51% owner of the -Little Probe, and F. R. Briton, S.J., a Jesuit priest who was linguist -and checker champion of the craft.</p> - -<p>Dawn did not come to the moon-town. The Little Probe hovered stationary -in the light and the moon-town came up under the dawn. Then the Probe -went down to visit whatever was there.</p> - -<p>"There's no town," said Steiner. "Not a building. Yet we're on the -track of the minds. There's nothing but a meadow and some boscage, a -sort of fountain or pool, and four streams coming out of it."</p> - -<p>"Keep on towards the minds," said Stark. "They're our target."</p> - -<p>"Not a building, not two sticks or stones placed together. That looks -like an Earth-type sheep there. And that looks like an Earth-lion, -I'm almost afraid to say. And those two ... why, they could well be -Earth-people. But with a difference. Where is that bright light coming -from?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know, but they're right in the middle of it. Land here. We'll -go to meet them at once. Timidity has never been an efficacious tool -with us."</p> - -<p>Well, they were people. And one could only wish that all people were -like them. There was a man and a woman, and they were clothed either -in very bright garments or in no garments at all, but only in a very -bright light.</p> - -<p>"Talk to them, Father Briton," said Stark. "You are the linguist."</p> - -<p>"Howdy," said the priest.</p> - -<p>He may or may not have been understood, but the two of them smiled at -him, so he went on.</p> - -<p>"Father Briton from Philadelphia," he said, "on detached service. And -you, my good man, what is your handle, your monicker, your tag?"</p> - -<p>"Ha-Adamah," said the man.</p> - -<p>"And your daughter, or niece?"</p> - -<p>It may be that the shining man frowned momentarily at this; but the -woman smiled, proving that she was human.</p> - -<p>"The woman is named Hawwah," said the man. "The sheep is named sheep, -the lion is named lion, the horse is named horse and the hoolock is -named hoolock."</p> - -<p>"I understand. It is possible that this could go on and on. How is it -that you use the English tongue?"</p> - -<p>"I have only one tongue; but it is given to us to be understood by all; -by the eagle, by the squirrel, by the ass, by the English."</p> - -<p>"We happen to be bloody Yankees, but we use a borrowed tongue. You -wouldn't have a drink on you for a tubful of thirsty travellers, would -you?"</p> - -<p>"The fountain."</p> - -<p>"Ah—I see."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>But the crew all drank of the fountain to be sociable. It was water, -but water that excelled, cool and with all its original bubbles like -the first water ever made.</p> - -<p>"What do you make of them?" asked Stark.</p> - -<p>"Human," said Steiner. "It may even be that they are a little more than -human. I don't understand that light that surrounds them. And they seem -to be clothed, as it were, in dignity."</p> - -<p>"And very little else," said Father Briton, "though that light trick -does serve a purpose. But I'm not sure they'd pass in Philadelphia."</p> - -<p>"Talk to them again," said Stark. "You're the linguist."</p> - -<p>"That isn't necessary here, Captain. Talk to them yourself."</p> - -<p>"Are there any other people here?" Stark asked the man.</p> - -<p>"The two of us. Man and woman."</p> - -<p>"But are there any others?"</p> - -<p>"How would there be any others? What other kind of people could there -be than man and woman?"</p> - -<p>"But is there more than one man or woman?"</p> - -<p>"How could there be more than one of anything?"</p> - -<p>The captain was a little puzzled by this, but he went on doggedly: -"Ha-Adamah, what do you think that we are? Are we not people?"</p> - -<p>"You are not anything till I name you. But I will name you and then -you can be. You are named Captain. He is named Priest. He is named -Engineer. He is named Flunky."</p> - -<p>"Thanks a lot," said Steiner.</p> - -<p>"But are we not people?" persisted Captain Stark.</p> - -<p>"No. We are the people. There are no people but two. How could there be -other people?"</p> - -<p>"And the damnest thing about it," muttered Langweilig, "is, how are you -going to prove him wrong? But it does give you a small feeling."</p> - -<p>"Can we have something to eat?" asked the Captain.</p> - -<p>"Pick from the trees," said Ha-Adamah, "and then it may be that you -will want to sleep on the grass. Being not of human nature (which does -not need sleep or rest), it may be that you require respite. But you -are free to enjoy the garden and its fruits."</p> - -<p>"We will," said Captain Stark.</p> - -<p>They wandered about the place, but they were uneasy. There were the -animals. The lion and lioness were enough to make one cautious, though -they offered no harm. The two bears had a puzzling look, as though they -wanted either to frolic with you or to mangle you.</p> - -<p>"If there are only two people here," said Casper Craig, "then it may be -that the rest of the world is not dangerous at all. It looked fertile -wherever we scanned it, though not so fertile as this central bit. And -those rocks would bear examining."</p> - -<p>"Flecked with gold, and possibly with something else," said Stark. "A -very promising site."</p> - -<p>"And everything grows here," added Steiner. "Those are Earth-fruits and -I never saw finer. I've tasted the grapes and plums and pears. The figs -and dates are superb, the quince is as flavorsome as a quince can be, -the cherries are excellent. And I never did taste such oranges. But I -haven't yet tried the—" and he stopped.</p> - -<p>"If you're thinking what I'm afraid to think," said Gilbert, "then it -will be the test at least: whether we're having a pleasant dream or -whether this is reality. Go ahead and eat one."</p> - -<p>"I won't be the first to eat one. You eat."</p> - -<p>"Ask him first. You ask him."</p> - -<p>"Ha-Adamah, is it allowed to eat the apples?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly. Eat. It is the finest fruit in the garden."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Well, the analogy breaks down there," said Stark. "I was almost -beginning to believe in the thing. But if it isn't that, then what. -Father Briton, you are the linguist, but in Hebrew does not Ha-Adamah -and Hawwah mean—?"</p> - -<p>"Of course they do. You know that as well as I."</p> - -<p>"I was never a believer. But would it be possible for the exact same -proposition to maintain here as on Earth?"</p> - -<p>"All things are possible."</p> - -<p>And it was then that Ha-Adamah, the shining man, gave a wild cry: "No, -no. Do not approach it. It is not allowed to eat of that one!"</p> - -<p>It was the pomegranate tree, and he was warning Langweilig away from it.</p> - -<p>"Once more, Father," said Stark, "you should be the authority; but does -not the idea that it was the apple that was forbidden go back only to a -medieval painting?"</p> - -<p>"It does. The name of the fruit is not mentioned in Genesis. In Hebrew -exegesis, however, the pomegranate is usually indicated."</p> - -<p>"I thought so. Question the man further, Father. This is too -incredible."</p> - -<p>"It is a little odd. Adam, old man, how long have you been here?"</p> - -<p>"Forever less six days is the answer that has been given to me. I never -did understand the answer, however."</p> - -<p>"And have you gotten no older in all that time?"</p> - -<p>"I do not understand what 'older' is. I am as I have been from the -beginning."</p> - -<p>"And do you think that you will ever die?"</p> - -<p>"To die I do not understand. I am taught that it is a property of -fallen nature to die, and that does not pertain to me or mine."</p> - -<p>"And are you completely happy here?"</p> - -<p>"Perfectly happy according to my preternatural state. But I am taught -that it might be possible to lose that happiness, and then to seek it -vainly through all the ages. I am taught that sickness and ageing and -even death could come if this happiness were ever lost. I am taught -that on at least one other unfortunate world it has actually been lost."</p> - -<p>"Do you consider yourself a knowledgeable man?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, since I am the only man, and knowledge is natural to man. But I -am further blessed. I have a preternatural intellect."</p> - -<p>Then Stark cut in once more: "There must be some one question you could -ask him, Father. Some way to settle it. I am becoming nearly convinced."</p> - -<p>"Yes, there is a question that will settle it. Adam, old man, how about -a game of checkers?"</p> - -<p>"This is hardly the time for clowning," said Stark.</p> - -<p>"I'm not clowning, Captain. How about it, Adam? I'll give you choice of -colors and first move."</p> - -<p>"No. It would be no contest. I have a preternatural intellect."</p> - -<p>"Well, I beat a barber who was champion of Germantown. And I beat the -champion of Morgan County, Tennessee, which is the hottest checker -center on Earth. I've played against, and beaten, machines. But I -never played a preternatural mind. Let's just set up the board, Adam, -and have a go at it."</p> - -<p>"No. It would be no contest. I would not like to humble you."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>They were there for three days. They were delighted with the place. -It was a world with everything, and it seemed to have only two -inhabitants. They went everywhere except into the big cave.</p> - -<p>"What is there, Adam?" asked Captain Stark.</p> - -<p>"The great serpent lives there. I would not disturb him. He has long -been cranky because plans he had for us did not materialize. But we -are taught that should ever evil come to us, which it cannot if we -persevere, it will come by him."</p> - -<p>They learned no more of the real nature of the sphere in their time -there. Yet all but one of them were convinced of the reality when they -left. And they talked of it as they took off.</p> - -<p>"A crowd would laugh if told of it," said Stark, "but not many would -laugh if they had actually seen the place, or them. I am not a gullible -man, but I am convinced of this: that this is a pristine and pure world -and that ours and all the others we have visited are fallen worlds. -Here are the prototypes of our first parents before their fall. They -are garbed in light and innocence, and they have the happiness that -we have been seeking for centuries. It would be a crime if anyone -disturbed that happiness."</p> - -<p>"I too am convinced," said Steiner. "It is Paradise itself, where the -lion lies down with the lamb, and where the serpent has not prevailed. -It would be the darkest of crimes if we or others should play the part -of the serpent, and intrude and spoil."</p> - -<p>"I am probably the most skeptical man in the world," said Casper Craig -the tycoon, "but I do believe my eyes. I have been there and seen it. -It is indeed an unspoiled Paradise; and it would be a crime calling to -the wide heavens for vengeance for anyone to smirch in any way that -perfection.</p> - -<p>"So much for that. Now to business. Gilbert, take a gram: Ninety -Million Square Miles of Pristine Paradise for Sale or Lease. Farming, -Ranching, exceptional opportunities for Horticulture. Gold, Silver, -Iron, Earth-Type Fauna. Terms. Special Rates for Large Settlement -Parties. Write, Gram, or call in person at any of our planetary offices -as listed below. Ask for Brochure—Eden Acres Unlimited."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Down in the great cave that Old Serpent, a two-legged one among whose -names were "Snake-Oil Sam," spoke to his underlings:</p> - -<p>"It'll take them fourteen days to get back with the settlers. We'll -have time to overhaul the blasters. We haven't had any well-equipped -settlers for six weeks. It used to be we'd hardly have time to strip -and slaughter and stow before there was another batch to take care of."</p> - -<p>"I think you'd better write me some new lines," said Adam. "I feel like -a goof saying those same ones to each bunch."</p> - -<p>"You are a goof, and therefore perfect for the part. I was in show -business long enough to know never to change a line too soon. I did -change Adam and Eve to Ha-Adamah and Hawwah, and the apple to the -pomegranate. People aren't becoming any smarter—but they are becoming -better researched, and they insist on authenticity.</p> - -<p>"This is still a perfect come-on here. There is something in human -nature that cannot resist the idea of a Perfect Paradise. Folks will -whoop and holler to their neighbors to come in droves to spoil and mar -it. It isn't greed or the desire for new land so much—though that is -strong too. Mainly it is the feverish passion to befoul and poison what -is unspoiled. Fortunately I am sagacious enough to take advantage of -this trait. And when you start to farm a new world on a shoestring you -have to acquire your equipment as you can."</p> - -<p>He looked proudly around at the great cave with its mountains and tiers -of materials, heavy machinery of all sorts, titanic crates of foodstuff -space-sealed; wheeled, tracked, propped, vaned and jetted vehicles; and -power packs to run a world.</p> - -<p>He looked at the three dozen space ships stripped and stacked, and at -the rather large pile of bone-meal in one corner.</p> - -<p>"We will have to have another lion," said Eve. "Bowser is getting old, -and Marie-Yvette abuses him and gnaws his toes. And we do have to have -a big-maned lion to lie down with the lamb."</p> - -<p>"I know it, Eve. The lion is a very important prop. Maybe one of the -crackpot settlers will bring a new lion."</p> - -<p>"And can't you mix another kind of shining paint? This itches. It's -hell."</p> - -<p>"I'm working on it."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Casper Craig was still dictating the gram:</p> - -<p>"Amazing quality of longevity seemingly inherent in the locale. Climate -ideal. Daylight or half-light. All twenty-one hours from Planet -Delphina and from Sol. Pure water for all industrial purposes. Scenic -and storied. Zoning and pre-settlement restrictions to insure congenial -neighbors. A completely planned globular settlement in a near arm of -our own galaxy. Low taxes and liberal credit. Financing our specialty—"</p> - -<p>"And you had better have an armed escort when you return," said Father -Briton.</p> - -<p>"Why in cosmos would we want an armed escort?"</p> - -<p>"It's as phony as a seven-credit note!"</p> - -<p>"You, a man of the cloth doubt it? And us ready skeptics convinced by -our senses? Why do you doubt?"</p> - -<p>"It is only the unbelieving who believe so easily in obvious frauds. -Theologically unsound, dramaturgically weak, philologically impossible, -zoologically rigged, salted conspicuously with gold and shot through -with anachronisms. And moreover he was afraid to play me at checkers."</p> - -<p>"What?"</p> - -<p>"If I have a preternatural intellect I wouldn't be afraid of a game of -checkers with anyone. Yet there was an unusual mind there somewhere; it -was just that he chose not to make our acquaintance personally."</p> - -<p>"They looked at the priest thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>"But it was Paradise in one way," said Steiner at last.</p> - -<p>"How?"</p> - -<p>"All the time we were there the woman did not speak."</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of In the Garden, by R. A. 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Lafferty - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll -have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using -this ebook. - - - -Title: In the Garden - -Author: R. A. Lafferty - -Release Date: December 23, 2019 [EBook #61007] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN THE GARDEN *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - IT WAS A DULL, ROUTINE LITTLE - WORLD. IT DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A - CITY. EVERYTHING IT HAD WAS - - IN THE GARDEN - - BY R. A. LAFFERTY - - [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from - Worlds of If Science Fiction, March 1961. - Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that - the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - -The protozoic recorder chirped like a bird. Not only would there be -life traces on that little moon, but it would be a lively place. So -they skipped several steps in the procedure. - -The chordata discerner read _Positive_ over most of the surface. There -was spinal fluid on that orb, rivers of it. So again they omitted -several tests and went to the cognition scanner. Would it show Thought -on the body? - -Naturally they did not get results at once, nor did they expect to; it -required a fine adjustment. But they were disappointed that they found -nothing for several hours as they hovered high over the rotation. Then -it came--clearly and definitely, but from quite a small location only. - -"Limited," said Steiner, "as though within a pale. As though there were -but one city, if that is its form. Shall we follow the rest of the -surface to find another, or concentrate on this? It'll be twelve hours -before it's back in our ken if we let it go now." - -"Let's lock on this one and finish the scan. Then we can do the rest of -the world to make sure we've missed nothing," said Stark. - -There was one more test to run, one very tricky and difficult of -analysis, that with the Extraordinary Perception Locator. This was -designed simply to locate a source of superior thought. But this might -be so varied or so unfamiliar that often both the machine and the -designer of it were puzzled as to how to read the results. - -The E. P. Locator had been designed by Glaser. But when the Locator -had refused to read _Positive_ when turned on the inventor himself, -bad blood developed between machine and man. Glaser knew that he had -extraordinary perception. He was a much honored man in his field. He -told the machine so heatedly. - -The machine replied, with such warmth that its relays chattered, that -Glaser did _not_ have extraordinary perception; he had only ordinary -perception to an extraordinary degree. There is a _difference_, the -machine insisted. - -It was for this reason that Glaser used that model no more, but built -others more amenable. And it was for this reason also that the owners -of Little Probe had acquired the original machine so cheaply. - -And there was no denying that the Extraordinary Perception Locator (or -Eppel) was a contrary machine. On Earth it had read _Positive_ on a -number of crack-pots, including Waxey Sax, a jazz tootler who could not -even read music. But it had also read _Positive_ on ninety per cent of -the acknowledged superior minds of the Earth. In space it had been a -sound guide to the unusual intelligences encountered. Yet on Suzuki-Mi -it had read _Positive_ on a two-inch-long worm, only one of them out of -billions. For the countless identical worms no trace of anything at all -was shown by the test. - -So it was with mixed expectations that Steiner locked onto the area -and got a flick. He then narrowed to a smaller area (apparently one -individual, though this could not be certain) and got very definite -action. Eppel was busy. The machine had a touch of the ham in it, and -assumed an air of importance when it ran these tests. - -Finally it signaled the result, the most exasperating result it ever -produces: the single orange light. It was the equivalent of the shrug -of the shoulders in a man. They called it the "You tell _me_ light." - -So among the intelligences there was at least one that might be -extraordinary, though possibly in a crackpot way. It is good to be -forewarned. - - * * * * * - -"Scan the remainder of the world, Steiner," said Stark, "and the rest -of us will get some sleep. If you find no other spot then we will go -down on that one the next time it is in position under us, in about -twelve hours." - -"You don't want to visit any of the other areas first? Somewhere away -from the thoughtful creature?" - -"No. The rest of the world may be dangerous. There must be a reason -that thought is in one spot only. If we find no others then we will go -down boldly and visit this." - -So they all, except Steiner, went off to their bunks then: Stark, the -Captain; Gregory Gilbert, the executive officer; Wolfgang Langweilig, -the engineer; Casper Craig, super-cargo, tycoon and 51% owner of the -Little Probe, and F. R. Briton, S.J., a Jesuit priest who was linguist -and checker champion of the craft. - -Dawn did not come to the moon-town. The Little Probe hovered stationary -in the light and the moon-town came up under the dawn. Then the Probe -went down to visit whatever was there. - -"There's no town," said Steiner. "Not a building. Yet we're on the -track of the minds. There's nothing but a meadow and some boscage, a -sort of fountain or pool, and four streams coming out of it." - -"Keep on towards the minds," said Stark. "They're our target." - -"Not a building, not two sticks or stones placed together. That looks -like an Earth-type sheep there. And that looks like an Earth-lion, -I'm almost afraid to say. And those two ... why, they could well be -Earth-people. But with a difference. Where is that bright light coming -from?" - -"I don't know, but they're right in the middle of it. Land here. We'll -go to meet them at once. Timidity has never been an efficacious tool -with us." - -Well, they were people. And one could only wish that all people were -like them. There was a man and a woman, and they were clothed either -in very bright garments or in no garments at all, but only in a very -bright light. - -"Talk to them, Father Briton," said Stark. "You are the linguist." - -"Howdy," said the priest. - -He may or may not have been understood, but the two of them smiled at -him, so he went on. - -"Father Briton from Philadelphia," he said, "on detached service. And -you, my good man, what is your handle, your monicker, your tag?" - -"Ha-Adamah," said the man. - -"And your daughter, or niece?" - -It may be that the shining man frowned momentarily at this; but the -woman smiled, proving that she was human. - -"The woman is named Hawwah," said the man. "The sheep is named sheep, -the lion is named lion, the horse is named horse and the hoolock is -named hoolock." - -"I understand. It is possible that this could go on and on. How is it -that you use the English tongue?" - -"I have only one tongue; but it is given to us to be understood by all; -by the eagle, by the squirrel, by the ass, by the English." - -"We happen to be bloody Yankees, but we use a borrowed tongue. You -wouldn't have a drink on you for a tubful of thirsty travellers, would -you?" - -"The fountain." - -"Ah--I see." - - * * * * * - -But the crew all drank of the fountain to be sociable. It was water, -but water that excelled, cool and with all its original bubbles like -the first water ever made. - -"What do you make of them?" asked Stark. - -"Human," said Steiner. "It may even be that they are a little more than -human. I don't understand that light that surrounds them. And they seem -to be clothed, as it were, in dignity." - -"And very little else," said Father Briton, "though that light trick -does serve a purpose. But I'm not sure they'd pass in Philadelphia." - -"Talk to them again," said Stark. "You're the linguist." - -"That isn't necessary here, Captain. Talk to them yourself." - -"Are there any other people here?" Stark asked the man. - -"The two of us. Man and woman." - -"But are there any others?" - -"How would there be any others? What other kind of people could there -be than man and woman?" - -"But is there more than one man or woman?" - -"How could there be more than one of anything?" - -The captain was a little puzzled by this, but he went on doggedly: -"Ha-Adamah, what do you think that we are? Are we not people?" - -"You are not anything till I name you. But I will name you and then -you can be. You are named Captain. He is named Priest. He is named -Engineer. He is named Flunky." - -"Thanks a lot," said Steiner. - -"But are we not people?" persisted Captain Stark. - -"No. We are the people. There are no people but two. How could there be -other people?" - -"And the damnest thing about it," muttered Langweilig, "is, how are you -going to prove him wrong? But it does give you a small feeling." - -"Can we have something to eat?" asked the Captain. - -"Pick from the trees," said Ha-Adamah, "and then it may be that you -will want to sleep on the grass. Being not of human nature (which does -not need sleep or rest), it may be that you require respite. But you -are free to enjoy the garden and its fruits." - -"We will," said Captain Stark. - -They wandered about the place, but they were uneasy. There were the -animals. The lion and lioness were enough to make one cautious, though -they offered no harm. The two bears had a puzzling look, as though they -wanted either to frolic with you or to mangle you. - -"If there are only two people here," said Casper Craig, "then it may be -that the rest of the world is not dangerous at all. It looked fertile -wherever we scanned it, though not so fertile as this central bit. And -those rocks would bear examining." - -"Flecked with gold, and possibly with something else," said Stark. "A -very promising site." - -"And everything grows here," added Steiner. "Those are Earth-fruits and -I never saw finer. I've tasted the grapes and plums and pears. The figs -and dates are superb, the quince is as flavorsome as a quince can be, -the cherries are excellent. And I never did taste such oranges. But I -haven't yet tried the--" and he stopped. - -"If you're thinking what I'm afraid to think," said Gilbert, "then it -will be the test at least: whether we're having a pleasant dream or -whether this is reality. Go ahead and eat one." - -"I won't be the first to eat one. You eat." - -"Ask him first. You ask him." - -"Ha-Adamah, is it allowed to eat the apples?" - -"Certainly. Eat. It is the finest fruit in the garden." - - * * * * * - -"Well, the analogy breaks down there," said Stark. "I was almost -beginning to believe in the thing. But if it isn't that, then what. -Father Briton, you are the linguist, but in Hebrew does not Ha-Adamah -and Hawwah mean--?" - -"Of course they do. You know that as well as I." - -"I was never a believer. But would it be possible for the exact same -proposition to maintain here as on Earth?" - -"All things are possible." - -And it was then that Ha-Adamah, the shining man, gave a wild cry: "No, -no. Do not approach it. It is not allowed to eat of that one!" - -It was the pomegranate tree, and he was warning Langweilig away from it. - -"Once more, Father," said Stark, "you should be the authority; but does -not the idea that it was the apple that was forbidden go back only to a -medieval painting?" - -"It does. The name of the fruit is not mentioned in Genesis. In Hebrew -exegesis, however, the pomegranate is usually indicated." - -"I thought so. Question the man further, Father. This is too -incredible." - -"It is a little odd. Adam, old man, how long have you been here?" - -"Forever less six days is the answer that has been given to me. I never -did understand the answer, however." - -"And have you gotten no older in all that time?" - -"I do not understand what 'older' is. I am as I have been from the -beginning." - -"And do you think that you will ever die?" - -"To die I do not understand. I am taught that it is a property of -fallen nature to die, and that does not pertain to me or mine." - -"And are you completely happy here?" - -"Perfectly happy according to my preternatural state. But I am taught -that it might be possible to lose that happiness, and then to seek it -vainly through all the ages. I am taught that sickness and ageing and -even death could come if this happiness were ever lost. I am taught -that on at least one other unfortunate world it has actually been lost." - -"Do you consider yourself a knowledgeable man?" - -"Yes, since I am the only man, and knowledge is natural to man. But I -am further blessed. I have a preternatural intellect." - -Then Stark cut in once more: "There must be some one question you could -ask him, Father. Some way to settle it. I am becoming nearly convinced." - -"Yes, there is a question that will settle it. Adam, old man, how about -a game of checkers?" - -"This is hardly the time for clowning," said Stark. - -"I'm not clowning, Captain. How about it, Adam? I'll give you choice of -colors and first move." - -"No. It would be no contest. I have a preternatural intellect." - -"Well, I beat a barber who was champion of Germantown. And I beat the -champion of Morgan County, Tennessee, which is the hottest checker -center on Earth. I've played against, and beaten, machines. But I -never played a preternatural mind. Let's just set up the board, Adam, -and have a go at it." - -"No. It would be no contest. I would not like to humble you." - - * * * * * - -They were there for three days. They were delighted with the place. -It was a world with everything, and it seemed to have only two -inhabitants. They went everywhere except into the big cave. - -"What is there, Adam?" asked Captain Stark. - -"The great serpent lives there. I would not disturb him. He has long -been cranky because plans he had for us did not materialize. But we -are taught that should ever evil come to us, which it cannot if we -persevere, it will come by him." - -They learned no more of the real nature of the sphere in their time -there. Yet all but one of them were convinced of the reality when they -left. And they talked of it as they took off. - -"A crowd would laugh if told of it," said Stark, "but not many would -laugh if they had actually seen the place, or them. I am not a gullible -man, but I am convinced of this: that this is a pristine and pure world -and that ours and all the others we have visited are fallen worlds. -Here are the prototypes of our first parents before their fall. They -are garbed in light and innocence, and they have the happiness that -we have been seeking for centuries. It would be a crime if anyone -disturbed that happiness." - -"I too am convinced," said Steiner. "It is Paradise itself, where the -lion lies down with the lamb, and where the serpent has not prevailed. -It would be the darkest of crimes if we or others should play the part -of the serpent, and intrude and spoil." - -"I am probably the most skeptical man in the world," said Casper Craig -the tycoon, "but I do believe my eyes. I have been there and seen it. -It is indeed an unspoiled Paradise; and it would be a crime calling to -the wide heavens for vengeance for anyone to smirch in any way that -perfection. - -"So much for that. Now to business. Gilbert, take a gram: Ninety -Million Square Miles of Pristine Paradise for Sale or Lease. Farming, -Ranching, exceptional opportunities for Horticulture. Gold, Silver, -Iron, Earth-Type Fauna. Terms. Special Rates for Large Settlement -Parties. Write, Gram, or call in person at any of our planetary offices -as listed below. Ask for Brochure--Eden Acres Unlimited." - - * * * * * - -Down in the great cave that Old Serpent, a two-legged one among whose -names were "Snake-Oil Sam," spoke to his underlings: - -"It'll take them fourteen days to get back with the settlers. We'll -have time to overhaul the blasters. We haven't had any well-equipped -settlers for six weeks. It used to be we'd hardly have time to strip -and slaughter and stow before there was another batch to take care of." - -"I think you'd better write me some new lines," said Adam. "I feel like -a goof saying those same ones to each bunch." - -"You are a goof, and therefore perfect for the part. I was in show -business long enough to know never to change a line too soon. I did -change Adam and Eve to Ha-Adamah and Hawwah, and the apple to the -pomegranate. People aren't becoming any smarter--but they are becoming -better researched, and they insist on authenticity. - -"This is still a perfect come-on here. There is something in human -nature that cannot resist the idea of a Perfect Paradise. Folks will -whoop and holler to their neighbors to come in droves to spoil and mar -it. It isn't greed or the desire for new land so much--though that is -strong too. Mainly it is the feverish passion to befoul and poison what -is unspoiled. Fortunately I am sagacious enough to take advantage of -this trait. And when you start to farm a new world on a shoestring you -have to acquire your equipment as you can." - -He looked proudly around at the great cave with its mountains and tiers -of materials, heavy machinery of all sorts, titanic crates of foodstuff -space-sealed; wheeled, tracked, propped, vaned and jetted vehicles; and -power packs to run a world. - -He looked at the three dozen space ships stripped and stacked, and at -the rather large pile of bone-meal in one corner. - -"We will have to have another lion," said Eve. "Bowser is getting old, -and Marie-Yvette abuses him and gnaws his toes. And we do have to have -a big-maned lion to lie down with the lamb." - -"I know it, Eve. The lion is a very important prop. Maybe one of the -crackpot settlers will bring a new lion." - -"And can't you mix another kind of shining paint? This itches. It's -hell." - -"I'm working on it." - - * * * * * - -Casper Craig was still dictating the gram: - -"Amazing quality of longevity seemingly inherent in the locale. Climate -ideal. Daylight or half-light. All twenty-one hours from Planet -Delphina and from Sol. Pure water for all industrial purposes. Scenic -and storied. Zoning and pre-settlement restrictions to insure congenial -neighbors. A completely planned globular settlement in a near arm of -our own galaxy. Low taxes and liberal credit. Financing our specialty--" - -"And you had better have an armed escort when you return," said Father -Briton. - -"Why in cosmos would we want an armed escort?" - -"It's as phony as a seven-credit note!" - -"You, a man of the cloth doubt it? And us ready skeptics convinced by -our senses? Why do you doubt?" - -"It is only the unbelieving who believe so easily in obvious frauds. -Theologically unsound, dramaturgically weak, philologically impossible, -zoologically rigged, salted conspicuously with gold and shot through -with anachronisms. And moreover he was afraid to play me at checkers." - -"What?" - -"If I have a preternatural intellect I wouldn't be afraid of a game of -checkers with anyone. Yet there was an unusual mind there somewhere; it -was just that he chose not to make our acquaintance personally." - -"They looked at the priest thoughtfully. - -"But it was Paradise in one way," said Steiner at last. - -"How?" - -"All the time we were there the woman did not speak." - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of In the Garden, by R. A. 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