time. They were really extremely busy. Astronomy – science about
the far sky – it was very close to some terrestrial affairs.
Great mathematicians, experts on heavenly mechanics, they were mobilized
for work on superartillery and superaircraft. “The last Mohicans”
capitalism feverishly prepared for war, preparing for the opponent “surprises”
in the form of rocket shells, military stratoplan, superlong-range guns
and other. And scientists jealously carried out charged to them especially scientific
business…
But, working for those who were executed by animal rage and thirst of fight
and destructions, scientists could not refuse the last service and that who
wanted to run from fight. And, having bargained, they accepted favorable
offer.
That minute when lady Hinton was engaged in weighing of the
family values, the philosopher Shnirer also sat in the office for
scales, but its scales were big, and it weighed not on carats, and on
tens of kilograms. On a table before it heaps of philosophical books lay. It
the library weighed not one centner. These books are so heavy! He decided to take
the best of them. From ancient philosophers Platon – it is unconditional, Aristotle —
under doubt. From new – certainly Kant, Schopenhauer, Spengler,
Bergson. But as this old man Kant weighs much! Perhaps, not to take them?
No, they will be necessary “there”.
Shnirer worked methodically, as always. At first made a marking
“the specific philosophical weight” of each philosopher, then noted
the “physical” weight of the book also accurately wrote down on the sheet of paper.
The door of an office was slightly opened, someone glanced through a crack.
– You do not work, the father? – asked Amelie, entering the room. Amelie
never entered to the father when that was busy. It were hours
religious rites. The daughter of the philosopher was excited, her cheeks burned
flush. Shnirer looked at the daughter over points and asked briefly:
– Sport?
– This time not. I saw Otto. The lieutenant Otto Ernst was
Amelie’s groom.
– Well and that? – Shnirer asked, weighing Descartes.
– We with it had a conversation…
– As I see, very hot.
– Yes. I suggested it to take part in flight. He answered that with
its parties it would be desertion. He told: “I have to remain
here, to win or die!” Otto convinced me to remain with him.
Descartes’s small volume trembled in Shnirer’s hand.
– Well, and that you answered? – he asked, trying to hide alarm.
– I answered it that I will follow you, the father. Shnirer frowned,
to hide joy:
– So. And Otto?
– Otto speaks, as you have no need to fly… And all these books you
you want to take with yourself? Whether you gather, the father to give lectures on
philosophies to Martians or inhabitants of Venus?
– If they exist and are rather developed for this purpose, then why to them
and not to get acquainted with philosophers of Earth? – Shnirer answered. – And to fly to me
it is necessary. And it for my part not desertion and not cowardice. On me
the holy duty lies – to keep wisdom of Earth. True philosophy,