Astounding Science Fiction (British edition) — page 99: what you’re looking at

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

CRAZY JOEY | 97 true telepath. If by any chance he were—If his remark and the disap- pearance of the fear symptoms were not just coincidence! But another Ames’ admonition dampened his elation. “Our founder, Jacob Steiffel, was a wise man. He believed in progress, Martin, as do I. But progress through conservative proof. Let others play the fool, our job is to preserve the bastions of Scientific solidity!’’ “Dr. Ames has not arrived yet,” he said suddenly to Joey’s parents. ““He’s been called to the office of the Uni- versity president. But, in the mean- time, leave the boy with me. There’s preliminary work to do, and I’m com- petent to do that.” He realized the implications of bitterness in his re- mark, and reassured himself that these people were not so subtle as to catch it. “I got work to do anyhow,” Joey’s father said. His relief was apparent, that he would not be required to stand by, and he was using it to play the part of the ever faithful servant. ““Here’s a room where you may wait, Mrs. Carter,” Dr. Martin said to Joey’s mother. He opened a door and showed her in to a small waiting room. “There are magazines. Make yourself quite comfortable. This may take an hour or so.” “Thank you, doctor.’ It was the first time she had spoken, and her voice contained the awe and respect she felt. A thread of resentment, too. It wasn’t fair; some had so many advantages to get educated. Others— But the resentment was drowned out in the awe and respect. These were not just ordinary doctors. They taught doctors! She sat tentatively on the edge of a wooden chair, the hardest one in the room. The worn red feather in her hat drooped, but her back remained straight. Joey felt the doctor thinking, “Re- lax woman! We’re not going to skin him alive!’ But he merely closed the door. Joey could still see her sitting there, through the closed door; not relaxing, not reaching for a rhagazine. Her lips were pulled tight against her teeth to keep her prayer from showing. ‘*‘Dear God, oh, dear God—”’ Dr. Martin came back over from closing the door, and led Joey to a _ chair near the bookcase. ‘““Now you just sit down there and relax, Joey. We’re not going to hurt you. We’re just going to visit a little, and ask you some questions.” But his mind was darting in and out around his desires. I’d better start in on rou- tine IQ tests, leave the Rorschach for Ames. Now that it’s standard, he’ll use it. Leave word-association for him, too. That’s his speed. Maybe I should give the multiphasic; no, better leave that for Ames. He’ll discredit it, but it'll make him feel very modern and up-to-date to use it. I mustn’t forget I’m just the errand boy around here. I wish I could run the Rhine ESP deck on the boy, but if Ames came in and caught me at it—” The office phone rang, and Martin picked it up hurriedly. It was the president’s office calling. “Dr. Ames asked me to tell you he will be tied up for almost an hour,” the operator said disinterestedly. “The patient will just have to wait.” “Thank you,” Martin said slowly. Joey felt his lift of spirit. I can run a few samples of the Rhine cards. I just have to know. I wish I could get away from this place, into a school where there’s some latitude for research. I wish Marion weren’t so tied down here with her family and that little social group she lords it over. ““My husband is assistant to the Dean of Psycho- logy!” That’s much more important to conniicloooks. corm