Red Planet Read Free Page B

even if she doesn't object. I think you're mean.’
    'You always think I'm mean if I don't cater to your every wish!’
    'Not to me—to Willis. This is Willis's home; he's used to it. He'll be homesick away at school.’
    'He'll have me!’
    'Not most of the time, he won't. You'll be in class. Willis wouldn't have anything to do but sit and mope. You ought to leave him here with me—with us—where he'd be happy.’
    Jim straightened himself up. ‘I'm going to find out about this, right away.’ He walked back into the living compartment and waited aggressively to be noticed. Shortly his father turned toward him.
    'Yes? What is it, Jim? Something eating you?’
    'Uh, well—look, Dad, is there any doubt about Willis going with me when I go away to school?’
    His father looked surprised. ‘It had never occurred to me that you would consider taking him.’
    'Huh? Why not?’
    'Well, school is hardly the place for him.’
    'Why?’
    'Well, you wouldn't be able to take care of him properly. You'll be awfully busy.’
    'Willis doesn't take much care. Just feed him every month or so and give him a drink about once a week and he doesn't ask for anything else. Why can't I take him, Dad?’
    Mr Marlowe looked baffled; he turned to his wife. She started in, ‘Now, Jimmy darling, we don't want you to —’
    Jim interrupted, ‘Mother, every time you want to talk me out of something you start out, Jimmy darling!’
    Her mouth twitched but she kept from smiling. ‘Sorry, Jim. Perhaps I do. What I was trying to say was this: we want you to get off to a good start at school. I don't believe that having Willis on your hands will help any.’
    Jim was stumped for the moment, but was not ready to give up. ‘Look, Mother. Look, Dad. You both saw the pamphlet the school sent me, telling me what to do and what to bring and when to show up and so forth. If either one of you can find anything anywhere in those instructions that says I can't take Willis with me, I'll shut up like a Martian. Is that fair?’
    Mrs Marlowe looked inquiringly at her husband. He looked back at her with the same appeal for help in his expression. He was acutely aware that Doctor MacRae was watching both of them, not saying a word but wearing an expression of sardonic amusement.
    Mr Marlowe shrugged. ‘Take Willis along, Jim. But he's your problem.’
    Jim's face broke out in a grin. ‘Thanks, Dad!’ He left the room quickly in order not to give his parents time to change their minds.
    Mr Marlowe banged his pipe on an ashtray and glowered at Doctor MacRae. ‘Well, what are you grinning at, you ancient ape? You think I'm too indulgent, don't you?’
    'Oh, no, not at all! I think you did perfectly right.’
    'You think that pet of Jim's won't cause him trouble at school?’
    'On the contrary. I have some familiarity with Willis's peculiar social habits.’
    'Then why do you say I did right?’
    'Why shouldn't the boy have trouble? Trouble is the normal condition for the human race. We were raised on it. We thrive on it.’
    'Sometimes, Doctor, I think that you are, as Jim would put it, crazy as a spin bug.’
    'Probably. But since I am the only medical man around, I am not likely to be committed for it. Mrs Marlowe, could you favor an old man with another cup of your delicious coffee?’
    'Certainly, Doctor.’ She poured for him, then went on. ‘James, I am not sorry you decided to let Jim take Willis. It will be a relief.’
    'Why, dear? Jim was correct when he said that the little beggar isn't much trouble.’
    'Well, he isn't really. But—I just wish he weren't so truthful.’
    'So? I thought he was the perfect witness in settling the children's squabbles?’
    'Oh, he is. He'll play back anything he hears as accurately as a transcriber. That's the trouble.’ She looked upset, then chuckled. ‘You know Mrs Pottle?’
    'Of course.’
    The doctor added, ‘How can one avoid it? I, unhappy man, am in charge of her nerves.’
    Mrs Marlowe asked, ‘Is she