Farnham’s Freehold By Robert A. Heinlein

“Barbara, Barbara!”

“Hugh darling! I love you. Oh!”

“I love you, Barbara.”

“Yes. Yes! Oh, please! Now!”

“Right now!”

“You all right, Barbie?”

“I’ve never been more all right. I’ve never been happier in my life.”

“I wish that were true.”

“It is true. Hugh darling, I’m utterly happy now and not at all afraid. I feel wonderful. Not even too warm.”

“I’m dripping sweat on you.”

“I don’t mind. There are two drops on your chin and one on the end of your nose. And I’m so sweaty my hair is soaked. Doesn’t matter. Hugh dearest, this is what I wanted. You. I don’t mind dying-now.”

“I do!”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, no! Barbie hon, I didn’t mind dying, before. Now suddenly life is worth living.”

“Oh. I think it’s the same feeling.”

“Probably. But we aren’t going to die, ii I can swing it. Want to move now?”

“If you want to. If you’ll put your arm around me after we do.”

“Try to stop me. But first I’m going to make us a long, tall drink. I’m thirsty again. And breathless.”

“Me, too. Your heart is pounding.”

“It has every excuse. Barbie girl, do you realize that I am more than twice your age? Old enough to be your father.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“Why, you little squirt! Talk that way and I’ll drink this all myself.”

“Yes, Hugh. Hugh my beloved. But we are the same age

because we are going to die at the same time.”

“Don’t talk about dying. I’m going to find some way to outwit it.”

“If anybody can, you will. Hugh, I’m not feeling morbid. I’ve looked it in the face and I’m no longer afraid-not afraid to die, not afraid to live. But- Hugh, I’d like one favor.”

“Name it.”

“When you give the pills to the others-the overdose-I don’t want them.”

“Uh. . . it might be needful.”

“I didn’t mean that I wouldn’t; I will when you tell me to. But not when the others do. Not until you do.”

“Mmm, Barbie, I don’t plan on taking them.”

“Then please don’t make me take them.”

“Well- I’ll think about it. Now shut up. Kiss me.”

“Yes, dear.”

“Such long legs you have, Barbie. Strong, too.”

“And such big feet.”

“Quit fishing for compliments. I like your feet. You would look unfinished without them.”

“Be inconvenient, too. Hugh, do you know what I would like to do?”

“Again?”

“No, no. Well, yes. But right now.”

“Sleep? Go ahead, dear. I won’t fall asleep.”

“No, not sleep. I’m not ever going to sleep again. Never. I can’t spare one minute we’ve got left. I was thinking that I would like to play contract again-as your partner.”

“Well- We might be able to rouse Joe. Not the others; three grains of Seconal is pretty convincing. We could play three-handed.”

“No, no. I don’t want any company but you. But I so enjoyed playing, as your partner.”

“You’re a good partner, honey. The best. When you say ‘by the book,’ you mean it.”

“Not ‘the best.’ I’m not in your class. But I wish that we had-oh, years and years !-so that I could get to be. And I wish the attack had held off ten minutes, so that you could have played that grand slam.”

“Didn’t need to. When you answered my bid I knew it was a lay-down.” He squeezed her shoulders. “Three grand slams in one night.”

“Three?”

“Didn’t you consider that H-bomb a grand slam?”

“Oh. And then there was the second bomb, later.”

“I was not counting the second bomb, it was too far away. If you don’t know what I counted, I refuse to draw a diagram.”

“Oh! In that case, there could easily be a fourth grand slam. I can’t make another forcing bid; my bra is gone and-”

“Was that a forcing bid?”

“Of course it was. But you can make the next forcing bid. I’ll spot it.”

“Slow down! Three grand slams is maximum. A small slam, maybe-if I take another Dexedrine. But four grand slams? Impossible. You know how old I am.”

“We’ll see. I think we’ll get a fourth.”

At that moment the biggest slam of all hit them.