Time of the Great Freeze (21 page)

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Authors: Robert Silverberg

BOOK: Time of the Great Freeze
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They would do it.
He and Ted and Colin would go winging northward again in a gleaming ship of the air. First to London, to be reunited with the others, and that would be a day of jubilation! And then on-to New York and all the other cities-ambassadors heralding the new day of warmth.
He walked to the window and looked out in wonder and awe at Rio's splendor-at the sun, the blue sky, the busy, healthy people, the stunning towers. Then he turned, and glanced at Ted and Colin, and at the Brazilian.
"Yes," Jim said. "There'll be a lot to do, won't there?"
It was like a dream. To awaken in this land of warmth after that nightmare of snow and ice…
But it was no dream. Rio was real, the warm sun overhead was real, Carvalho was real.
Soon the rays of that sun would lick at the ice that gripped half the world. Soon the grim glacier would fall back in defeat. A thaw was beginning-not only in the weather, but in the minds of men as well. Jim knew a great responsibility lay upon him now.
Carvalho said, "There are many who want to meet you three. We are full of questions about your cities. But not now. You will rest now, and rebuild your strength. Then there will be time for questions."
"I want to see the city," Jim said. "I want to walk in the street, with the sky over my head." He felt gay, giddy, unfettered at last All somberness lay behind him.
And a mighty task lay ahead. It did not frighten him, though, the thought of rebuilding a world. What he had been through was discipline enough for any kind of job.
"There'll be so much to do," Ted said.
"Yes," Jim said. "Plenty to do. But it'll all be worth doing. I can't wait to begin."
He looked toward the window-toward the golden light of the sun, the warming sun, the sun whose gentle rays would soon be driving back the ice, the sun that would give the world back to mankind.
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