Part 15 (1/2)
With a casual wave of her hand, Temple strolled away; and there, flashed through Sandra's mind what Hilton had said so long ago, little more than a week out from Earth:
”... and Temple Bells, of course,” he had said. ”Don't fool yourself, chick. She's heavy artillery; and I mean _heavy_, believe me!”
So he had known all about Temple Bells all this time!
Nevertheless, she took the first opportunity to get Hilton alone; and, even before the first word, she forgot all about geodesic right lines and the full-cooperation psychological approach.
”Aren't you the guy,” she demanded, ”who was laughing his head off at the idea that the Board and its propinquity could have any effect on _him_?”
”Probably. More or less. What of it?”
”This of it. You've fallen like a ... a _freshman_ for that ... that ... they _should_ have christened her 'Brazen' Bells!”
”You're so right.”
”I am? On what?”
”The 'Brazen'. I told you she was a potent force--a full-scale powerhouse, in sync and on the line. And I wasn't wrong.”
”She's a d.a.m.ned female Ph.D.--two or three times--and she knows all about slipsticks and isotopes and she very definitely is _not_ a cuddly little brunette. Remember?”
”Sure. But what makes you think I'm in love with Temple Bells?”
”What?” Sandra tried to think of one bit of evidence, but could not.
”Why ... why....” She floundered, then came up with: ”Why, _every_body knows it. She says so herself.”
”Did you ever hear her say it?”
”Well, perhaps not in so many words. But she told me herself that you were _going_ to be, and I know you are now.”
”Your esper sense of endovix, no doubt.” Hilton laughed and Sandra went on, furiously:
”She wouldn't keep on acting the way she does if there weren't something to it!”
”What brilliant reasoning! Try again, Sandy.”
”That's sheer sophistry, and you know it!”
”It isn't and I don't. And even if, some day, I should find myself in love with her--or with one or both of the twins or Stella or Beverly or you or Sylvia, for that matter--what would it prove? Just that I was wrong; and I admit freely that I _was_ wrong in scoffing at the propinquity. Wonderful stuff, that. You can see it working, all over the s.h.i.+p. On me, even, in spite of my bragging. Without it I'd never have known that you're a better, smarter operator than Eggy Eggleston ever was or ever can be.”
Partially mollified despite herself, and highly resentful of the fact, Sandra tried again. ”But don't you _see_, Jarve, that she's just simply playing you for a sucker? Pulling the strings and watching you dance?”
Since he was sure, in his own mind, that she was speaking the exact truth, it took everything he had to keep from showing any sign of how much that truth had hurt. However, he made the grade.
”If that thought does anything for you, Sandy,” he said, steadily, ”keep right on thinking it. Thank G.o.d, the field of thought is still free and open.”
”Oh, you....” Sandra gave up.