time enough for love-时间足够你爱(英文版)-第23部分

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it　rather　than　go　to　her　country　home…without　telling　her　father；　as　the　Chairman　Pro　Tern　did　not　encourage　members　of　his　family　to　use　Palace　quarters　unnecessarily。　Or　she　sometimes　stayed　with　Ishtar　and　Galahad。
　　
　　This　time　all　three　went　to　Ishtar's　apartment；　they　had　matters　to　discuss。　On　arrival　there　Ishtar　checked：
　　
　　〃Minerva？〃
　　
　　〃Listening；　Ishtar。〃
　　
　　〃Anything？〃
　　
　　〃Lazarus　and　Ira　are　talking。　Private　conversation。〃
　　
　　〃Keep　me　advised；　dear。〃
　　
　　〃Certainly；　dear。〃
　　
　　Ishtar　turned　back　to　the　others。　〃Who　wants　a　drink　or　something？　Too　early　for　dinner。　Or　is　it？　Ham？〃
　　
　　Galahad　answered；　〃A　bath　for　me；　then　a　drink。　I　was　all　set　for　a　dip…hot　and　sweaty…when　Lazarus　kicked　us　out。〃
　　
　　〃And　stinky；〃　Ishtar　agreed。　〃I　noticed　it　in　the　transport。〃
　　
　　〃A　bath　wouldn't　hurt　you；　big　arse；　you　were　exercising　as　hard　as　I　was。〃
　　
　　〃Regrettably　true；　my　gallant　knight；　I　was　careful　to　sit　downwind　from　our　elders　after　that　last　match。　Ham；　get　us　all　something　tall　and　cold　while　Stinky　and　I　get　clean。〃
　　
　　〃Will　you　two　settle　for　Idleberry　Jolts　or　whatever　is　handy？　While　we　all　bathe？　I　don't　have　the　excuse　of　heavy　exercise；　but　I　broke　out　with　fear　stink　when　I　put　the　proposal　to　Gramp。　And　muffed　it！　After　all　your　coaching；　Ish。　I'm　sorry！〃　She　started　to　sniffle。
　　
　　Ishtar　put　her　arms　around　the　younger　woman。；　〃There；　there；　dear…stop　it。　I　don't　think　you　muffed　it。〃
　　
　　〃He　refused　me。〃
　　
　　〃You　laid　a　good　foundation…and　shook　him　up；　which　he　needed。　You　startled　me　with　your　timing　but　it　will　work　out　all　right。〃
　　
　　〃He　probably　won't　even　let　me　e　back！〃
　　
　　〃Yes；　he　will。　Stop　shaking。　e；　dear；　Galahad　and　I　will　give　you　a　long；　relaxing　back　rub。　Stinky；　fetch　the　fizz　and　join　us　in　the　shower　room。〃
　　
　　第19节
　　
　　〃With　two　women　around　I　have　to　work。　Okay。〃
　　
　　When　Galahad　arrived　with　cold　drinks；　Ishtar　had　Hamadryad　stretched　out　facedown　on　the　massage　table。　Ishtar　looked　up　and　said；　〃Dear；　before　you　get　wet；　see　if　there　are　three　towel　robes　in　the　rack；　I　didn't　check。〃
　　
　　〃Yes；　ma'am；　no；　ma'am；　right　away；　ma'am；　will　that　be　all；　ma'am？…plenty　of　robes；！　dialed　for　more　this　morning。　Don't　bruise　her；　you　don't　know　your　own　strength。　I'm　going　to　need　her；　later。〃
　　
　　〃And　I'm　going　to　swap　you　for　a　dog；　sweetheart；　and　sell　the　dog。　Pass　around　those　drinks；　then　e　help；　or　you　won't　get　either　of　us　later。　If　ever。　We're　busy　agreeing　that　all　males　are　beasts。〃　She　continued　to　massage；　gently；　firmly；　with　professional　skill；　down　Hamadryad's　back　while　the　massage　table　matched　her　appropriately　down　the　subject's　front。　She　let　Galahad　hang　a　drink　around　her　neck　and　place　its　nipple　in　her　mouth　without　slowing　her　careful　fingers。
　　
　　He　snapped　Hamadryad's；　drink　to　the　table；　placed　nipple　in　her　mouth；　patted　her　cheek；　then　took　the　other　side　and　started　to　help；　following　Ishtar's　lead。　The　table　changed　action　to　match　four　hands。
　　
　　Some　minutes　later　he　let　the　nipple　for　his　drink　retract；　and　spoke。　〃Ish；　any　chance　that　Gramp　twigged？　About　you　two　broads？〃
　　
　　〃We're　not　all　that　broad。　At　least；　Ham　is　not。〃
　　
　　〃'Broad'　is　a　usual　English　idiom　for　a　female；　and　you　said　we　should　talk　and　think　in　English　as　long　as　we　are　on　this　mitment。〃
　　
　　〃I　simply　said　that　Hamadryad　is　not　very　broad。　Even　though　she's　had　more　children　than　I　have…and　I　haven't　had　any　since　rejuvenation。　But　it's　a　colorful　idiom；　I　like　it。　I　don't　see　how　Lazarus　could　guess　that　we　are　pregnant。　Not　that　it　would　matter　if　he　did；　in　my　case…except　just　how　I　am　pregnant；　and　he　can't　know　that　as　I　fudged　the　record　on　the　source　of　the　cloned　cell。　Ham；　you　haven't　hinted　anything　to　Lazarus…have　you？〃
　　
　　Hamadryad　surrendered　her　drink。　〃Of　course　not！〃
　　
　　〃Minerva　knows；〃　Galahad　said。
　　
　　〃Of　course　she　does；　I　discussed　it　with　her。　But…　Now　you've　got　me　wondering。　Minerva？〃
　　
　　〃Listening；　Ishtar。〃　The　puter　added；　〃Ira　is　leaving；　Lazarus　has　e　inside。　No　problems。〃
　　
　　〃Thank　you；　dear。　Minerva；　is　there　any　possible　way　that　Lazarus　could　know　about　Hamadryad　and　me？　That　we　are　pregnant；　I　mean；　and　why　and　how？'
　　
　　〃He　has　not　said　so；　nor　has　anyone；　mentioned　it　in　his　presence。　Evaluation　of　pertinent　data　available　to　me　makes　it　probable　by　less　than　one　part　in　one　thousand。〃
　　
　　〃How　about　Ira？〃
　　
　　〃Less　than　one　part　in　ten　thousand。　Ishtar；　when　Ira　told　me　to　supply　you　with　service　and　to　assign　to　you　a　restricted　memory；　he　programmed　me　so　that　any　later　program　will　simply　wipe　your　assigned　box。　Truly；　there　is　no　way　for　him　to　retrieve　from　your　private　memory　file；　nor　can　I　self…program　to　get　around　it。〃
　　
　　〃Yes；　so　you　assured　me。　But　I　don't　know　much　about　puters；　Minerva~〃
　　
　　Minerva　chuckled。　〃Whereas　I　do。　You　could　say　that　I　have　made　a　career　of　puters。　Don't　worry；　dear；　your　secrets　are　safe　with　me。　Lazarus　has　just　told　me　to　order　a　light　supper　for　him；　then　he　is　going　to　bed。〃
　　
　　〃Good。　Let　me　know　what　he　eats　and　how　much　and　when　he　goes　to　bed…then　call　me　if　he　wakes。　Awake　and　alone　at　night；　a　man　is　at　his　lowest　ebb；　I　must　be　ready　to　move　quickly。　But　you　know　that。〃
　　
　　〃I　shall　watch　his　wave　patterns；　Ishtar。　You　will　have　twc　to　five　minutes'　warning…unless　El　Diablo　jumps　on　his　stomach。〃
　　
　　〃That　damned　cat。　But　being　wakened　that　way　doesn't　depress　him；　it's　his　suicidal　nightmares　that　worry　me。　1　have　about　used　up　diversionary　emergencies；　I　can't　set　tire　to　the　penthouse　a　second　time。〃
　　
　　〃Lazarus　has　not　had　one　of　his　typical　depression　nightmares　this　month；　Ishtar；　and　I　know　how　to　spot　the　wave　sequences　now；　I'll　be　very　careful。〃
　　
　　〃I　know　you　will；　dear。　I　wish　we　knew　the　incidents　in　his　past　from　which　each　is　derived；　we　might　be　able　to　wipe　them。〃
　　
　　〃Ish；〃　Galahad　put　in；　〃you　go　tinkering　with　his　memory　and　you　might　lose　everything　Ira　is　after。〃
　　
　　〃And　I　might　save　our　client；　too。　You　stick　to　backrubbing；　dear；　and　leave　delicate　work　to　Minerva　and　me。　Anything　more；　Minerva？〃…
　　
　　〃No。　Yes。　Ira　is　telling　me　to　find　Hamadryad；　he　wants　to　talk　to　her。　Will　she　take　the　call？〃
　　
　　〃Sure！〃　agreed　Hamadryad；　rolling　over。　〃But　patch　him　in　through　you；　Minerva；　I　won't　go　to　the　phone；　I　don't　have　my　face　on。〃
　　
　　〃Hamadryad？〃
　　
　　〃Yes；　Ira？〃
　　
　　〃Message　for　you。　Be　nice　to　an　old　man　and　show　up　at　the　cottage　as　usual；　will　you？　Better　yet；　get　there　early　and　have　breakfast　with　him。〃
　　
　　〃Are　you　sure　he　wants　to　see　me？〃
　　
　　〃He　does。　He　shouldn't；　after　the　way　you　embarrassed　him。　What　possessed　you；　Ham？　But　this　message　is　his　idea；　not　mine。　He　wants　to　be　sure　he　hasn't　scared　you　off。〃
　　
　　She　sighed　with　relief。　〃I'm　not　scared　off　if　he　will　let　me　stay。　Father；　I　told　you　I　would　devote　as　many　days　to　this　as　he　will　permit。　I　meant　it　and　still　mean　it。　In　fact　I've　told　my　manager　that　she　can　buy　me　out　on　long…term　credit；　that's　how　serious　I　am。〃
　　
　　〃So？　I'm　very　pleased。　If　you　do；　and　want　to　cash　out；　I…the　government；　that　is…will　pick　up　the　loan　from　you　without　discounting　it；　I've　assigned　unlimited　credit　to　anything　relating　to　the　Senior。　Just　tell　Minerva。〃
　　
　　〃Thank　you；　sir。　I　don't　expect　to　need　it…unless　Gramp　gets　tired　of　me　and　I　see　something　else　I　want　to　invest　in。　But　the　business　is　prosperous；　I　may　just　let　Priscilla　support　me　in　style　for　a　few　years。　Quite　prosperous…betcha　my　assets　exceed　yours。　Your　private　fortune；　I　mean。〃
　　
　　〃Don't　be　silly；　my　silly　daughter；　as　a　private　citizen　I'm　almost　a　pauper…whereas　in　my　official　capacity　…I　could　confiscate　your　assets　with　just　a　word　to　Minerva　and　no　one　would　question　it。〃
　　
　　〃Except　that　you　never　would…you're　sweet；　Ir？。〃
　　
　　〃Huh？〃
　　
　　〃You　are　。　。　even　if　you　can't　remember　the　names　of　my　children。　I'm　feeling　very　gay；　Papa；　you've　made　me　happy。〃
　　
　　〃You　haven't　called　me　'Papa'　for；　oh；　fifty　or　sixty　years。〃
　　
　　〃Because　you　never　encourage　intimacy　once　a　child　is　grown。　Nor　do　I　from　mine。　But　this　assignment　has　made　me　feel　closer　to　you。　I'll　shut　up；　sir；　and　I'll　be　there　early　tomorrow。　Off？〃
　　
　　〃One　moment。　I　forgot　to　ask　where　you　are。　If　you're　home…〃
　　
　　〃I'm　not；　I'm　having　a　bath　with　Galahad　and　Ishtar。　About　to；　that　is；　you　interrupted　a　wonderful　back　rub　they　were　giving　me。〃
　　
　　〃Sorry。　As　you　are　still　in　the　Palace；　I　suggest　that　you　stay。　To　be　here　early　tomorrow。　Beg　a　bed　from　them　or；　if　that　is　intruding；　e　to　my　apartments；　we'll　find　something。〃
　　
　　〃Don't　fret　about　me；　Ira。　If　I　can't　shame　them　into　keeping　me　overnight；　Minerva　will　find　me　a　bed。　Truly；　Lazarus'　bed　is　the　only　one　I've　ever　found　impossible　to　get　into…　maybe　I　need　to　apply　for　rejuve。〃
　　
　　The　Chairman　Pro　Tern　was　slow　in　answering。　〃Hamadryad　。　。　you　were　serious　in　proposing　to　have　children　by　him…were　you　not？〃
　　
　　〃Privacy；　sir。〃
　　
　　〃Sorry。　Hmm…　The　custom　of　privacy　does　not　forbid　me　to　say　that　I　think　it　is　a　very　good　idea。　If　you　tell　me　to；　I　will　encourage　it　in　any　way　I　can。〃
　　
　　Ham　adryad　looked　at　Ishtar　and　spread　her　hands　in　a　gesture　of　〃What　do　I　do　now？〃…then　answered：　〃His　refusal　seemed　very　firm；　sir。〃
　　
　　〃Let　me　offer　you　a　male　viewpoint；　my　daughter。　A　man　often　refuses　such　a　proposal　when　he　wants　to　accept　it…a　man　likes　to　be　sure　of　a　woman's　motives　and　sincerity。　At　a　later　time　he　may　accept。　I　don't　mean　that　you　should　nag　him　with　it；　that　would　not　work。　But　if　you　want　this　bide　your　time。　You're　a　charming　woman；　I　have　confidence　in　you。〃
　　
　　〃Yes；　sir。　If　he　does　give　me　a　child；　we　would　all　be　richer　thereby…would　we　not？〃
　　
　　〃Yes；　certainly。　But　my　motives　are　somewhat　different。　If　he　dies　or　leaves　us；　there　is　always　the　sperm　bank　and　the　tissue　bank…neither　of　which　he　can　touch　because　I'll　cheat　if　necessary。　But　I　don't　want　him　to　die；　Hamadryad；　nor　do　I　want　him　to　leave　soon…and　I　am　not　speaking　from　sentiment。　The　Senior　is　unique；　I've　gone　to　much　trouble　not　to　waste　him。　Your　presence　pleases　him；　your　offer　stimulates　him　。　。　even　though　you　feel　he　reacted　badly。　You're　helping　to　keep　him　alive…and　if　he　eventually　lets　you　have　his　child；　you　may　succeed　in　keeping　him　alive　a　long　time。　Indefinitely　long。〃　…　…
　　
　　Hamadryad　wiggled　with　pleasure　and　smiled　at　Ishtar。　〃Father；　you　make　me　feel　proud。〃
　　
　　〃You　have　always　been　a　daughter　to　be　proud　of；　dear。　Although　I　can't　claim　all　the　credit；　your　mother　is　a　most　exceptional　woman。　Off　now？〃
　　
　　〃Off；　with　music　playing。　Good　night；　sir！〃
　　
　　Without　getting　up；　Hamadryad　grabbed　both　her　friends　around　their　waists　and　hugged　them　tightly。　〃Oh；　I　feel　good！〃
　　
　　〃So　get　down　off　this　table；　narrow　broad；　it's　my　turn。〃
　　
　　〃You　don't　need　a　massage；〃　Ishtar　said　firmly；　〃you've　been　under　no　emotional　strain　and　the　hardest　work　you've　done　all　day　is　to　beat　me　two　games　of　murder　ball。〃
　　
　　〃But　I'm　the　spiritual　type。　Sensitive。〃
　　
　　〃So　you　are；　dear　Galahad；　and　now　you　can　most　spiritually　help　her　down　and　help　me　bathe　her…still　most　spiritually。〃
　　
　　Galahad　plied　while　plaining　〃You　two　ought　to　bathe　me；　instead。　Pretend　I'm　a　blind　music　maker。〃　He　closed　his　eyes　and　sang：
　　
　　〃'There's　a　cop　around　the　corner
　　
　　who　is　sometimes　not　so　friendly
　　
　　To　a　man　who　isn't　holding
　　
　　Or　otherwise　unlucky…
　　
　　〃That's　me…'unlucky'…or　I　wouldn't　have　to　work　with　two　women　in　the　house。　What　cycle；　Ish？〃
　　
　　〃'Relaxing'　of　course。　Hamadear；　since　you　let　us　hear　that　call；　I　assume　that　I　can　talk　about　it。　I　agree　with　Ira。　You　have　Lazarus　sexually　stimulated　whether　he　knows　it　or　not；　and　if　you　can　keep　him　that　way；　he　won't　be　depressed。〃
　　
　　〃Is　he　truly　that　nearly　recovered；　Ishtar？〃　Hamadryad　asked　while　raising　her　arms　and　letting　them　work　on　her。　〃He　looks　better。　But　I　can't　tell…his　manner　doesn't　change。〃？
　　
　　〃Oh；　definitely。　He　started　masturbating　a　month　ago。　Shampoo；　'dear？〃
　　
　　〃He　did？　Really？　Oh；　that's　wonderful！　Do　I　need　one？　Yes；　I　do…thanks。〃
　　
　　〃　'So　it's　well　to
　　
　　Have　a　sister
　　
　　Or　even　an　old　uncle…
　　
　　〃Close　your　eyes；　Hambone　baby；　shampoo　mix　ing。　A　client　has　no　privacy　with　Ishtar。　But　she　didn't　tell　me；　I　had　to　infer　it　from　his　graphs。　Ish；　why　do　I　always　wind　up　washing　Ham's　back？〃
　　
　　〃Because　you　tickle；　sweetheart。　There　was　no　need　for　you　to　know。　But　a　client　certainly　has　no　privacy　with　Minerva　to　help…and　that's　as　it　should　be；　we　need　better　puter　service　at　the　Clinic；　I　now　see。　Although　he　does　have　privacy　in　its　true　sense；　as　all　nf　this　is　covered　by　the　Oath。　Even　though　you　are　not　regular　staff；　Ham；　I'm　sure　you　realize　that。〃
　　
　　〃Oh；　certainly！　Not　quite　so　hard；　Galahad。　Red…hot　pincers　could　not　make　me　talk　other　than　to　you　…tWo。　Not　even　to　Ira。　Ishtar；　do　you　think　I　could　learn　to　be　a　real　rejuvenator？〃
　　
　　〃If　you　feel　a　vocation　for　it　and　want　to　study　that　hard。　Let　it　rinse　now；　Galahad。　You　have　the　empathy；　rm　sure。　What's　your　index？〃
　　
　　〃'They're　your　friends；　boy。
　　
　　Don't　neglect　them
　　
　　Birthdays　and　Yom　Kippur…
　　
　　〃Uh　。　。　'Genius…minus；〃　Harnadryad　admitted。
　　
　　〃Takes　genius；〃　Galahad　said　helpfully；　〃as　well　as　a　pulsive　need　to　work；　she's　a　slave　driver；　Hammy　baby。〃
　　
　　〃'Also　Christmas
　　
　　And　Chanukah
　　
　　A　card　or　even　candy。'〃
　　
　　〃You're　off　key；　dear。　You're　'Genius…plus；'　Ham；　slightly　higher　than　Galahad's　index。　I　looked　it　up　just　in　case…　and　you　did　ask。　I'm　very　pleased。〃
　　
　　〃'Off　key'？　Now　you've　gone　too　far。〃
　　
　　〃You　have　other　virtues；　my　true　knight；　you　need　not　be　a　troubadour。　Hamadear；　if　you　search　your　heart　and　really　want　it；　you　could　be　an　associate　technician　by　the　time　we　migrate。　If　you　intend　to　migrate。　If　not；　the　Clinic　here　always　needs　staff；　a　true　vocation　is　scarce。　But　I'd　like…terribly…to　have　you　with　us。　Both　of　us　will　help　you。〃
　　
　　〃Sure　we　will；　Hammy！　'Off　key'　indeed！　Is　this　colony　going　to　be　polygamous？〃
　　
　　〃Ask　Ira。　Does　it　matter？　Grab　a　robe　and　throw　it'　around　the　Hamadarling；　then　I'll　trade　a　quick　scrub　with　you；　I'n　hungry。〃　…
　　
　　〃Do　you　want　to　risk　it？　After　what　you　said　about　singing？　I　know。　every　spot　and　I'll　tickle　them　all。〃
　　
　　第20节
　　
　　〃King's　Cross！　I　apologize！　I　love　your　singing；　dear。〃
　　
　　〃The　idiom　is　'King's　X；'　Ish。　Pvc；　it　is。　Grab　robes　for　all　of　us；　Hammy；　that's　a　good　girl。　Long　legs；　while　I　was　singing…perfectly　on　key…I　figured　out　that　idiom　that　was　bothering　me。　it's　not　what　Minerva　thought　it　was；　a　'hoot　shop'　is　a　bordello。　Which　makes　the　…Born　Loser's　sister　hetaera…and　the　last　piece　falls　into　place。〃