And what a battering of thoughts in the mild air around the centers of science! What a discordance! What a tumult of theories, each of them nurtured within its own walls by the zealous Sars.
There were the Departments of Chemistry and Physics. There was the glass-walled tower of Astronomy! There was the Institute of Psychology, with all its many bureaus. And the new Electronics Building, alabaster even in the dusk.
They were all there, extending in stately splendor along the main avenues, and along the park, where the gossamer mist was rising.
How intolerant were the thoughts they radiated! How sure!
Electronics said: "Quite obviously the answer to psi is in the electrical currents of the brain. Our newest electro-encephalograph has demonstrated...."
Chemistry said: "Solution to psi inevitably will be found in the chemical balance of the cells...."
Parapsychology said: "We must continue to ignore those who insist upon attributing physical properties to a non-physical characteristic...."
And underneath this learned babble, Miryam heard the moth-like whispering of her own people, starving in the Ghetto, or hidden throughout the city, disguised, furtive, tense.
Her mind came close to Government Square, and she cringed, as she had cringed all her young life. The somatics were unbearable. Hatred and fear, blind prejudice, jealousy, cunning, ceaseless intrigue and plotting, setting Sar against Sar, using the genius of each science, dividing and ruling.
No, there was nothing left. No hope, no promise. This was the end of time. This was the night of the world.