Free Manly Wade Wellman - Novel 1940 by Twice In Time (v1.1)

ladies," I said, as
impressively as I could manage, "these stars look so small that nothing appears
less, yet there are a great many that are far larger than our own Earth. Think
then how trivial our own star would appear if—"
    "Faith, Cousin," called out a voice I knew,
"you seek to belittle the world, and Florence ,
and Lorenzo the Magnificent!"
    It was Guaracco, absolutely overwhelming in green and
gold, who strode forward and paid fulsomely cordial
respects all around. "Forgive my young kinsman, Your Magnificence, if he
has been impertinent," he pleaded eloquently. Then, turning to me : "Will you step aside, Leo ? I have a message for
you, from Lisa."
    At the mention of that name, a little murmur of laughing
congratulation went up, to the effect that I must have a sweetheart. Indeed, I
felt a quickening of my pulse as Guaracco and I walked a little away through
the garden, out of the range of the lamplight.
    "What is the message from her?" I asked him.
    "That was but an excuse to get you alone," he
growled. "I warn you, Leo, say no more of these matters of the stars."
    "But why not?" I
demanded, surprised.
    "The stars in their courses are a specific knowledge
of sorcerers. I overheard your teaching just now—"
    "I was teaching truth," I broke in, warm to
defend myself.
    "I know it," he said. "I do not think this
little mote, our planet, is the center of all things. But the old belief is part
of my trade. I frighten or reward or guide men by horoscopes and prophecies—from
the stars. Do you not show me a liar, else I may smooth your way to
destruction."
    I glared at him, but in my mind was more wonder than rage.
Once again he showed himself a sound scientist; once again he showed that he
hid his knowledge and fostered error for profit. Only some great evil wish
dictated such action. I need not be too ashamed, I feel, to say that he made me
afraid.

CHAPTER IX
     
    The
End of the Evening
     
    GUARACCO did his best to be the lion of the occasion. Not that he did not merit attention ; he could charm and
astound and inform. Lorenzo publicly and good-humoredly withdrew his previous
opinion that Guaracco was dull, and bade him talk on any subject he would.
Strange, philosophy-crammed conversation intrigued Lorenzo, as the jokes of a
jester or the gambols of jugglers might intrigue a more
shallow ruler.
    And Guaracco obliged, with improvements upon my discussion
of war machines. To my multiple-fire device, he added a suggestion whereby the crossbows
of Lorenzo's guard might be improved—a simple, quick lever to draw and set the
string instead of the slower and more cumbersome moulinet or crank.
    The company praised and approved the idea, and Guaracco
beamed. He liked it less when Botticelli suggested, and Lorenzo agreed, that I
make clearer his rough sketch of the lever action.
    "I perceive"—Guaracco smiled satirically—"that
you also admire my kinsman's drawing. Has he told you of that other talent he
hopes to develop? Flying?"
    "Flying?" repeated the beautiful Simonetta, her
eyes shining.
    "Aye, that. With a machine called an
'airplane'." He used the Twentieth-Century English word, and I must have
started visibly. How did he know that name and invention? I did not remember telling
him about airplanes. But Simonetta was already laughing incredulously.
    "Belike this young man seeks to soar with wings, and
reach those great worlds and suns he pretends to see in the sky," she
suggested merrily, a twinkle in her eyes.
    "It sounds like sacrilege." Giuliano garnished
his sweetheart's apparent effort to embarrass me. "Flight is contrary to
man's proper nature."
    I was a little angry. "How
contrary?" I demanded. "Is it more contrary or sacrilegious
than to ride comfortably and swiftly on the back of a horse. "
    The abbot came to my support. "The young man says
sooth," he pronounced. "Holy writ sings of the righteous: 'They shall
mount up with wings as eagles,' and again, in the words of the Psalmist
himself: 'O, that I had wings