Blish,James – And all the Stars a Stage

births than deaths-and the privacy was all the more valuable for the many

years that they had been without it.

Not that Ailiss was much more than an indifferent player of Castles; she

could think as many moves ahead as jorn could when she wanted to, but she

was given to impulses, and she had never bothered to study the classical

openings and the Great Games; but with Kamblin dead, there was nobody else

on board jorn cared to play with. This time, for a wonder, she was putting

up a passable resistance.

Besides, the dim light was grateful, a privilege in itself. The children

were welcome to the glare of the working areas and ward-rooms of the

Javelin; they

169

170 James Blish

had been born to it and seemed to prefer it, but it was hard on old eyes.

It was Ailiss’move. After a while, her mouth pursed in an expression of

annoyance.

“I can’t think,” she complained. “Isn’t that thing ever going to stop?”

“Probably. It’s not our job to answer it. You’re in double jeopardy, let me

remind you.”

“I see that. I just keep losing my train of thought, with those bells

jangling away. Lees declare a recess. Maybe we ought to see what the

trouble is, anyhow.”

“If there’s any trouble, the Director will let us know,” Jorn said

ponderously. “It’s probably just some routine thing. Let the kids handle

it, it’s good practice for them.”

“Jorn, my dear, how long has it been since you last saw the Director?”

Jorn frowned. It seemed an irritatingly minor question. ‘I can’t say.

Several years.”

“Has it occurred to you that he might be dead?”