Astounding British Edition, Vol. 9, No. 10 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

MEDICINE SHOW 15 have gotten from your world will be some plant that will grow, for us. Then, when you reach us, it may be that you will peach trees blooming in a different soil.” A glow appeared on Yanvro’s face. “We will be waiting for you, for all men, when you come to us, as come you will, in time.” “Will we?” Something of the glow on Yanvro’s face was appearing in Harmon’s heart. “You will, you will,” Yanvro answered. “Tt is in the stars. And in the meantime, my friend, when I or any of my people come your way again, you will be one on whom we will call.” The glow in Harmon’s heart burst into life. “Will I?” “You will,” Yanvro said, smiling. A few minutes later, from the grove of trees, something went with a rush into the sky. Harmon waved and watched it vanish. Quietly he returned to the truck, drove back to town. Across the street from his office, the tent was in tatters and shreds of tor canvas upon the ground, mute evidence of the fury: that had been vented there. Entering his office, he found Dr. Lap- ham and two other doctors whom he recognized as the disciplinary committee of the medical society. They rose. Lap- ham spoke. “Harmon, I am bringing charges of malpractice against you, of using un- proved and untested remedies, of meet- ing with charlatans and quacks, of risking the life of a patient, this child, Donna Culver. I am going to take action to have your license canceled.” From the wall, the license looked down at Harmon. “Just one moment.” He went to the phone, called a number. “She’s wonderful, Dr. Harmon,” Mrs. Culver’s happy voice came over the phone. “She’s eating, she doesn’t have a temperature, she’s— In the background, Harmon could hear childish shouts of glee, the laughing voice of a six-year-old girl, the excited — yapping of a puppy. Very gently, he re- placed the phone, turned to the three men. With all the strength that he possessed, he hit Dr. Lapham in the nose, a smash- ing, blood-letting, crashing blow. Harmon felt the blow tingle through his whole body. Everywhere he felt it, it felt good. He turned to the other two doctors. “Gentlemen, I’m ready to answer your charges.” “Well struck, Harmon,” the nearest one said, holding out his hand. “You saved me the job of doing it.” Harmon, staring, took the hand that was Offered to him, saw that the other doctor was also holding out his hand, he took it. His eyes found the license on the wall. In that moment, the license seemed to fade away and he seemed to look into the glass and through it—into a burst of pink color, the seeds of trans- planted Earth trees blooming on what . had once been barren land. Then the frame again held his license to practice medicine. When the doctors had gone, Harmon went into his back office. He sat down and put his feet on his desk. Exultation was in him, such exultation as he had never known. In time, strange visitors would knock on his back door in the dark of the night, to confer and slip silently away before the dawn. In time, riotous blooming of peach trees on another world. In time, healing—on Earth. THE END THE BRITISH INTERPLANETARY SOCIETY 12 Bessborough Gardens, London, 8.W.1 Membership is Open to all interested in rocket engineering and space-flight. Full particulars, together with a free copy of the Society’s Journal and Programme of lectures, film shows, etc., will be sent on request. Annual Subscription. £111 6 » (under21) . 11 0 Entrance Fee. . 010 6. CORMICLOO Ss EO)