Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, No. 67 — page 147: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION In the glass his aunt and uncle were as clear as though they were but ten yards away. Emma walked with her rolling gait and wore her flowered frock and straw hat. Jeb wore his black and looked much as he always did. Then Jeb pointed to a corner and Emma looked and she backed away, startled. Mr. Dirim, looking sharper and browner, with his close-fitting suit and his little collection bag, ap- proached the two. Jeb ges- ticulated. Emma put her hand to her mouth—and kept it there. Then, so clearly that it looked like some soundless stereo film, the two of them became smaller and smaller. And Billy laughed as Mr. Dirim picked up the two little figures and put them in the bag. Then he went. — He told Sam, who had been crouching by him as he watched the happy scene. “Right,” said Billy, ‘“‘he’s right every time.”’ He paused. “‘Reckon we ought to think about eating again.” Sam nodded; he felt beaten. Night again, and the full moon over the countryside, silver and blue and mist, with the distant lights of Little 146 Corinth shining like pinholes through a shade. They had lounged and they had eaten, and lounged again, and now, fully dressed, they lay on their beds, gazing from the uncurtained cave mouth out to where their visitor should come from. They did not speak; all possible variations of conver- sation about Mr. Dirim and his (presumed) associates had been worked out as far as Billy was concerned; there were some things he did not wish to answer, it seemed. Sam got up and walked about the cave; he came _ back, found the remaining peach from the can, and ate it. Then he rubbed his hands on his jeans and looked at Billy, lying raptly gazing into the night. Doubt surged within him again. ‘“What’s the time?’ he asked. Billy seemed to come back from somewhere. “’Bout eleven,” said Billy. ““Why ?” ‘““Why?’ There was indig- nation in Sam’s voice. ““Why? Cause I want to know when he’s coming. I want to see him.” Billy got up. When he spoke, it was with disgust almost amounting to hatred. “Fool!” he hissed. “J been comiclooks.corn