"For Bertram?"
"Now here," said Scholar Ross, "we must cease considering the
welfare of the individual alone and start thinking of him as a part
of an integrated society. No man is an island, Mr. Harrison. In a
less advanced culture, Bertram would have been permitted to meet
contemporary personalities. Perhaps might have met someone who--as he
does--lacks drive and initiative, and the result would have been a
family of dull children. Had he been unlucky enough to marry a woman
with drive and ambition, their children might have been normal, but the
entire home life would have been an emotional battlefield. And that--"
"Isn't that what you're about to achieve?" asked Mr. Harrison.
"Not at all. We shall achieve the normal, happy children who will
undoubtedly grow into fine, stable adults. To gain this end, of
course, their home life must be happy and tranquil. We'll prescribe
for them--allowing for the emotional change that results from marriage
and--"
The doorbell interrupted the scholar's explanation. "Allow me," he
said, rising and heading for the apartment door. The Harrisons followed
him at a slight distance. It was the Hanfords.
There was the full round robin of introductions and small talk: "You
had no trouble?" "No, the intercity beacon was running clear--" "Lovely
apartment, Mrs. Harrison." "Mrs. Hanford, here in Philadelphia we feel
that we're almost in the suburbs." "Got a treat for you, Hanford--been
saving a bottle of natural bourbon!" "That'll be a treat, all right!"
"This is a real event. Scholar Ross." "You know, Mrs. Hanford, the
vidphone hardly does you justice!" "Why, thank you!"
"Miss Hanford, may I present Bertram Harrison?" "How do you do?" "I do
as I please. What's your excuse?" "Huh?" "_Now, Gloria!_" "Bertram,
show Gloria the flower room. Go on, now!"
Scholar Ross watched the young couple walk through a French door to an
outside terrace. He turned to Harrison and said, "Everything set?"
Harrison nodded. "Had a little trouble with the Music people till I
used your priority. They said they'd have Program R-147 piped into the
flower room. Frankly, I think R-215 is better."
* * * * *