Highway of Eternity by Clifford D. Simak Read Free Book Online

no time for sitting back and waiting for something to happen. Certainly there are measures we could take. But each of us can’t just keep shouting what he or she may think and …”
    â€œWe’ve got to get away,” screamed Emma. “We have to get away from here.”
    â€œThere is no good,” yelled David, “in simply running. Run, yes, if we have to, but we must have a plan.”
    â€œI will not run,” shouted Horace. “I’m not about to run. Running is for cowards and I will not have it said …”
    â€œBut we have to run,” screamed Emma. “We have to get away. We can’t wait for whatever’s coming. We have to find a safe place.”
    â€œYou won’t find a safe place running,” Horace bellowed. “We have to use our heads.”
    â€œI still think,” said Timothy, “that we are reacting too precipitously. A few days more or less will not make that much difference.”
    â€œIn a few days you could be dead,” yelled Horace.
    â€œAt least we have to give Gahan a decent burial,” protested Timothy.
    â€œGahan doesn’t count,” yelled Horace. “Gahan’s dead. Nothing more can happen to him. We are still alive, and what happens does matter to us and …”
    Boone stepped on a chair and from the chair to the table, kicking china and glass aside.
    â€œShut up, all of you!” he thundered. “Shut up and sit down!”
    All of them stopped yelling and turned to stare at him.
    â€œYou have no place in this,” said Emma, tartly, “You’re not one of us.”
    â€œYou made me and Corcoran part of your group,” said Boone, “when you told us we could never leave this place. We both have the right to speak. We’re in the same boat with you. So shut up, all of you, and sit down.”
    Startled, they all found chairs and sat down.
    Boone said to Corcoran, who still stood against a wall, “Jay, if anyone starts yelling, if anyone gets to his feet, will you shut him up?”
    â€œQuite willingly,” said Corcoran.
    â€œI understand,” said Boone, “that this is no more than a healthy family squabble and that most of you didn’t mean half of what you said. But you were not about to get anywhere and I think you do have to make some plans. Whether you like it or not, I’ll serve as referee.”
    Horace stood up. Corcoran pushed himself away from the wall and started toward him. Horace sat down.
    â€œYou had something you wanted to say?” Boone asked Horace.
    â€œWhat I was about to say is that you understand none of what is going on. You have not the background that is required of a referee.”
    â€œIn that case,” said Boone, “perhaps you’ll fill me in.”
    â€œHorace won’t,” said Enid. “He’ll tell it as he sees it. He will shade the meaning …”
    Horace stood up. Corcoran pushed off the wall. Horace sat down again.
    â€œAll right, Miss Enid,” said Boone. “Perhaps you’ll proceed with your unbiased version.” He said to Horace, “You’ll have your chance later on. But the rules are one at a time and no shouting and no shoving.”
    â€œWe are a group of refugees,” said Enid. “We are …”
    â€œNot refugees!” yelled Horace.
    â€œYou shut up,” said Boone. “Enid, please go on.”
    â€œAs I told you earlier,” said Enid, “we are from a million years into your future. In that million years the human race has changed.”
    â€œWas encouraged to change,” said Horace, interrupting. “On its own, the race would not have changed.”
    â€œYou can’t be sure of that,” said David. “For example, there is Henry.”
    â€œI can be sure,” said Horace. “The Infinites …”
    Boone raised a hand to stop him. Horace stopped.
    â€œYou used that word,” Boone said to