Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 41 — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

THE CENSORS called out: Russ ?”’ The boy came in. His large, solemn eyes stared up at his mother and father. “Hello, dear,” mother, unsteadily. “Hello,” he said, without emotion. It was true, thought Gavin, that the boy did seem to look at you odcly—not beyond you, not through you, but into you. His eyes widened ever so slightly, and it was true that a most unusual smile curled the corners of his lips. Gavin made an effort to keep his own gaze steadily locked with that of his son. Was it his imagination, or could he feel something pry- ing into his mind? He exper- ienced a sensation like that of stealthy fingers moving deli- cately, probingly, through his thoughts and over his con- sciousness into all the acquired knowledge stored up in his memory. ! With the maximum possible intensity he directed a thought out towards his son: Can you hear what I am thinking? Are you telepathic? Answer me. Answer... “Ts that you, said his He could have sworn that mockery flickered in the eyes, but there was no answer. Aloud, Gavin said, abruptly: ““Canyouhear what I’m think- ing, Russ?’ It was a challenge and at the same time a plea—a heartfelt appeal for honesty, for help in his life’s work. Russ smiled an innocent smile. “Can some people hear what other people are thinking, pop? That must be great. Gee, you’d learn a lot that way, wouldn’t you?’ Gavin nodded sadly. Yes, you would learn a lot that way.. And he remembered how quickly Russ had learnt to talk, and what unusually long, yet always accurate, words he had acquired from heaven only knew where. It was one of the most fascinating and most alarming aspect of the telepathic fac- ulty. He had often wondered what it would be like if the human race began to develop the faculty, as he was sure it could be developed. As soon as a child had passed its most primitive state of babyhood, it could start where its parents had left off; it could take into its mind, lock, stock and 109 connicloooks.Ccomhn)