Adventures in the Far Future & Tales of Outer Space — page 173: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“Good,” said Jorun tonelessly. “T wish you could do something about him.” “So do |.” Zarek strolled off again. A young man and woman, walking hand in hand, turned out of the line not far away and stood for a little while. A Spaceman zoomed over to them. “Better get back,” he warned. “You'll get rained on.” “That's what we wanted,” said the young man. The spaceman shrugged and resumed his hovering. Presently the couple re-entered the line. The tail of the procession went by Jorun and the ship swallowed it fast. The rain fell harder, bouncing off his force- Shield like silver spears. Lightning winked in the west, and he heard the distant exuberance of thunder. Kormt came walking slowly toward him. Rain streamed off his clothes and matted his long gray hair and beard. His wooden shoes made a wet sound in the mud. Jorun extended the force-shield to cover him. “Il hope you've changed your mind,” said the Fulkhisian. “No, | haven't,” said Kormt. “I just stayed away till everybody was aboard. Don’t like good-byes.” “You don’t Know what you're doing,” said Jorun for the— thousandth?—time. “It’s plain madness to stay here alone.” “I told you | don’t like good-byes,” said Kormt harshly. “| have to go advise the captain of the ship,” said Jorun. “You have maybe half an hour before she lifts. Nobody will laugh at you for changing your mind.” “T won't.” Kormt smiled without warmth. “You people are the future, | guess. Why can’t you leave the past alone? I’m the past.” He looked toward the far hills, hidden by the noisy rain. “I like it here, Galactic. That should be enough for you.” “Well, then—” Jorun held out his hand tin the archaic gesture of Earth. “Good-by.” “Good-by.” Kormt took the hand with a brief, indifferent clasp. Then he turned and walked off toward the village. CORniclooo SS CO