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The Most Sentimental Man By: Evelyn E. Smith (1927-2000) |
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the
most
sentimental
man by EVELYN E. SMITH
Once these irritating farewells were over with, he
could begin to live as he wished and as he'd dreamed.
Johnson went to see the others off at Idlewild. He knew they'd expect
him to and, since it would be the last conventional gesture he'd have to
make, he might as well conform to their notions of what was right and
proper. For the past few centuries the climate had been getting hotter; now,
even though it was not yet June, the day was uncomfortably warm. The
sun's rays glinting off the bright metal flanks of the ship dazzled his
eyes, and perspiration made his shirt stick to his shoulder blades
beneath the jacket that the formality of the occasion had required. He
wished Clifford would hurry up and get the leave taking over with. But, even though Clifford was undoubtedly even more anxious than he to
finish with all this ceremony and take off, he wasn't the kind of man to
let inclination influence his actions. "Sure you won't change your mind
and come with us?" Johnson shook his head. The young man looked at him hatred for the older man's complication of
what should have been a simple departure showing through the pellicule
of politeness. He was young for, since this trip had only slight
historical importance and none of any other kind, the authorities had
felt a junior officer entirely sufficient. It was clear, however, that
Clifford attributed his commandership to his merits, and he was very
conscious of his great responsibility. "We have plenty of room on the ship," he persisted. "There weren't many
left to go. We could take you easily enough, you know." Johnson made a negative sign again. The rays of the sun beating full
upon his head made apparent the grey that usually blended into the
still thick blond hair. Yet, though past youth, he was far from being an
old man. "I've made my decision," he said, remembering that anger now
was pointless. "If it's if you're just too proud to change your mind," the young
commander said, less certainly, "I'm sure everyone will understand
if ... if ..." Johnson smiled. "No, it's just that I want to stay that's all." But the commander's clear blue eyes were still baffled, uneasy, as
though he felt he had not done the utmost that duty not duty to the
service but to humanity required. That was the trouble with people,
Johnson thought: when they were most well meaning they became most
troublesome. Clifford lowered his voice to an appropriately funeral hush, as a fresh
thought obviously struck him. "I know, of course, that your loved ones
are buried here and perhaps you feel it's your duty to stay with
them...?" At this Johnson almost forgot that anger no longer had any validity. By
"loved ones" Clifford undoubtedly had meant Elinor and Paul. It was true
that Johnson had had a certain affection for his wife and son when they
were alive; now that they were dead they represented an episode in his
life that had not, perhaps, been unpleasant, but was certainly over and
done with now. Did Clifford think that was his reason for remaining? Why, he must
believe Johnson to be the most sentimental man on Earth. "And, come to
think of it," Johnson said to himself, amused, "I am or soon will
be just that." The commander was still unconsciously pursuing the same train of
thought. "It does seem incredible," he said in a burst of boyish candor
that did not become him, for he was not that young, "that you'd want to
stay alone on a whole planet. I mean to say entirely alone.... There'll
never be another ship, you know at least not in your lifetime." Johnson knew what the other man was thinking. If there'd been a woman
with Johnson now, Clifford might have been able to understand a little
better how the other could stick by his decision... Continue reading book >>
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