Prelude to Foundation - Isaac Asimov [132]
The clothing of the Billibottoners tended to be smudged, old, and sometimes corn. There was a patina of ill-washed poverty over them and Seldon felt uneasy at the slickness of his own new clothes.
He said, "Where in Billibotton does Mother Rittah live, do you suppose?"
"I don't know," said Dors. "You brought us here, so you do the supposing. I intend to confine myself to the task of protection and I think I'm going to find it necessary to do just that."
Seldon said, "I assumed it would only be necessary to ask the way of any passerby, but somehow I'm not encouraged to do so."
"I don't blame you. I don't think you'll find anyone springing w your assistance."
"On the other hand, there are such things as youngsters." He indicated one with a brief gesture of one hand. A boy who looked to be about twelve-in any case young enough to lack the universal adult male mustache had come to a full halt and was staring at them.
Dors said, "You're guessing that a boy that age has not yet developed the full Billibottonian dislike of outsiders."
"At any rate," said Seldon, "I'm guessing he is scarcely large enough to have developed the full Biliibottonian penchant for violence. I suppose he might run away and shout insults from a distance if we approach him, but I doubt he'll attack us."
Seldon raised his voice. "Young man."
The boy took a step backward and continued to stare.
Seldon said, "Come here," and beckoned.
The boy said, "Wa' fox, guy?"
"So I can ask you directions. Come closer, so I don't have to shout."
The boy approached two steps closer. His face was smudged, but his eyes were bright and sharp. His sandals were of different make and there was a large patch on one leg of his trousers. I He said, "Wa' kind o' directions?"
"We're trying to find Mother Rittah."
The boy's eyes flickered. "Wa' for, guy?"
"I'm a scholar. Do you know what a scholar
"Ya went to school?"
"Yes. Didn't you?"
The boy spat to one side in contempt. "Nah."
"I want advice from Mother Rittah-if you'll take me to her."
"Ya want your fortune? Ya come to Billibotton, guy, with your fancy clothes, so ! can tell ya your fortune. All bad."
"What's your name, young man?"
"What's it to ya?"
"So we can speak in a more friendly fashion. And so you can take me to Mother Rittah's place. Do you know where she lives?"
"Maybe yes, maybe no. My name's Raych. What's in it for me if I take ya?"
"What would you like, Raych?"
The boy's eyes halted at Dors's belt. Raych said, "The lady got a couple o' knives. Gimme one and I'll take ya to Mother Rittah."
"Those are grown people's knives, Raych. You're too young."
"Then I guess I'm too young to know where Mother Rittah lives." And he looked up slyly through the shaggy halt that curtained his eyes.
Seldon grew uneasy. It was possible they might attract a crowd. Several men had stopped already, but had then moved on when nothing of interest seemed to be taking place. If, however, the boy grew angry and lashed out at them in word or deed, people would undoubtedly gather.
He smiled and said, "Can you read, Raych?"
Raych spat again. "Nab! Who wants to read?"
"Can you use a computer?"
"A talking computer? Sure. Anyone can."
"I'll tell you what, then. You take me to the nearest computer store and I'll buy you a little computer all your own and software that will teach you to read. A few weeks and you'll be able to read."
h seemed to Seldon that the boy's eyes sparkled at the thought, but-if so-they hardened at once. *'Nab, Knife or nothin'."
"That's the point, Raych. You learn to read and don't tell anyone and you can surprise people. After a while you can bet them you can read. Bet them five credits. You can win a few extra credits that way and you can buy a knife of your own."
The boy hesitated. "Nab! No one will bet me. No one got credits."
"If you can read, you can get a job in a knife store and you can save your wages and get a knife