Everard, Tamberly and Volstrup discuss weighty matters on their bleak December day. When Volstrup's face pales:
"Outside wind whooped and a dash of rain blew from wolf-gray heaven." (p. 376)
When he moistens his gullet for a second time:
"The wind sobbed." (p. 378)
When Everard stares into shadows:
"Rain hissed down the walls. Chill sneaked beneath clothing." (p. 379)
After "...wind whooped...," I read to the end of the chapter confidently expecting more such references and of course found some.
This chapter also reminds us of some of the details of the history guarded by the Time Patrol:
heretics burned;
Jews ghettoized, massacred or expelled;
peasants who claimed any rights treated in the same way.
I know someone who thinks that it would have been better if consciousness had never evolved. A time criminal could travel far enough back to prevent the emergence of life on Earth, killing himself at the same time.
4 comments:
You have to keep in mind that weather was more -important- then. Means for mitigating cold were primitive -- IIRC, fireplaces were just being invented then -- and there was no way to mitigate heat. Basically, you lit a fire and piled on clothes... which would be dirty and probably lousy.
Kaor, Paul and Mr. Stirling!
Paul: I absolutely disagree with those who believe it would be "better" if there was no consciousness, no true life, existing in the world/universe. Such abominable notions reminds me of the literally Satanic religion of the Peacock Angel in Stirling's THE PESHAWAR LANCERS, whose true believers despised and loathed the existence of life.
Genesis 1.31 declares, after God created the world, its plants, beasts, and the first humans: "And God saw all the things that he had made, and they were very good." That is the right attitude to have for existence/life.
Mr. Stirling: Your comments reminded me of the New France we on that Dyson sphere in THE LORDS OF CREATION. The Fransai there had a basically early 18th century level of technology. Almost everybody was dirty, with filthy clothing, bedding, etc. Not because they loved filth--it was just so hard to be clean. No efficient plumbing, piping of water, heating, etc. All these things and more, such as household clothes washers, dryers, dish washers, etc., only started becoming common in the most advanced nations in the later 19th and then 20th centuries.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean: yeah. Also, the discovery and spread of germ theory made people -much- more conscious of the health risks of filth, so they put more effort into cleanliness.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
I forgot to mention that in my previous comment--of course I agree. I don't want "giant rats of Sumatra" crawling around my house like those rats I read about in some gruesome articles a few months ago.
I sweep/mop my kitchen quite frequently and keep loaves of bread and opened boxes of cereal in my refrigerator, to discourage vermin. Plus, a couple of glue traps to hopefully catch mice.
Ad astra! Seam
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