Astounding Science Fiction, October 1950 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

FOUNDATIONS =a By WILMAR H. SHIRAS A meeting of minds is never easy—but a meeting of such minds as the mutant children, with their strained patterns, was bound to be difficult. . “AND that’s the full story to date of Timothy Paul and Elsie Lambeth, the Wonder Children,” concluded Dr. Peter Welles, psychiatrist. ' Miss Page caught her breath. — “Y should have guessed it,” she said, “or something like it. But who could have guessed anything like that? Tim seemed like such an ordinary little boy. And even since Elsie came I hadn't dreamed of anything of such proportions. They didn’t seem like super-wonderful intellects, although anyone could see they were quite bright.” “What does she say?” demanded Hisie. “She says yes,” laughed Peter. “Cant you talk him into getting started sooner, Miss Page?” begged Tim a thing I don’t understand abou grown people. You have so much less tme left than we do, and yet you don’t seemto think time matters at all.” “Older people have learned to mae haste slowly,” Dr. Welles replied. “The idea of the school is scarcely a month old. Believe “They were hiding from you,” Dr. Welles snouled, “under orders. But now that we propose to start a school for these children, and need teachers and matrons, you are the first one Dr. Foxwell that I want. Will you join us?” “Indeed I will! open?” “We must get the scholars first. I plan to spend August touring the country to see the children and arrange with their guar- dians. Meanwhile we have been able to write to some of the children and make preliminary arrangements. When I go to the Psychiatrists Convention next week, I in- tend to see Jay Worthington. I’m leaving here a day early for that purpose.” He unlocked a drawer—they were talking in his office—and leafed through some ‘papers until he came to those he wanted. “Here’s the correspondence. Jay wrote us that he had seen our advertisement and thought it deserved wider attention, adding that he took a personal interest in the matter. A few days later, his name turned up on the list. The detective agency has by now found nearly all the children for us, checking everyone who was exposed to the radiations, and elimimating those who are known to have died childless.” There was a tap on the door, and two impatient children popped their heads in. When is the school to 2 me, Tim, we are as impatient as you are, ‘“That’s- but things must be planned and cne in. order.-’ Elsie moved restlessly. “If you see the children next monta?’ she complained, “I don’t see why you can’tstart the month after. We don’t need all hose buildings Tim planned.” Tim was prompt to agree. | “We're already fourteen years old,” said he, “and in a few years we'll be grow up and scattered. Let’s just have some pre- fabricated houses put up quickly, ani get started this September, can’t we?” Peter Welles shook his head. “At a week to interview each childand make arrangements with the PARES © it will take months.” “Why a week?” cried both children. “Because,” said Peter somberly, “ere may be more difficulties than youcan imagine.” “Jay Worthington?” é The boy nodded. “You must be Jr. Welles,” he said in a rapid treble vice. “Come right in, doctor.” He was vibrang with excitement. A tall, lanky boy, awkurd and what Tim’s grandmother would ave called “high-strung,” Jay was clearly twst- ing to talk. He led the way into the ling room, chattering at double sped allthe while. 6)()) (SO)