Chapter 71 Chapter fifty-six

No one pays any attention to them. Harry Seldon and Dors Venabili repeated yesterday's itinerary, this time no one gave them a second look, hardly even a second glance.When the car pulled over several times, they had to turn their knees to one side to allow the person sitting on the inside to step out.And after someone gets in the car, if there is space inside, they immediately understand that they should move inward. This time, they quickly became overwhelmed by the smell of unwashed clothes, because they were no longer so attracted to things outside the car. In any case, they finally reached their destination.

"That's the library," Seldon whispered. "I think so," said Dors. "It's the building Mycelium Seven-Two was referring to yesterday." They walked toward it at a leisurely pace. "Take a deep breath," said Seldon, "this is the first hurdle." The front door was open, the light inside was soft and dim, and there were five broad stone steps before the door.They stepped onto the lowest step and waited a moment before realizing that their weight had not made the ladder go up.Dors made a small grimace and gestured for Seldon to go up. When they walked up the stairs together, they were all embarrassed by this backwardness for Mykkosen.Then they went through a door. Near the door was a desk, and a man was leaning over a computer, the simplest and crudest computer Seldon had ever seen.

The man didn't look up at them.No need, Seldon thought.White robes, bald heads - all the people of Myrtleshin look almost alike, and a glance will not leave any impression.And at this juncture, this has become a favorable factor for foreigners. The man seemed to be still studying something on the table. "Scholar?" he asked. "Scholar," Seldon replied. The man suddenly turned his head towards a door: "Go in and study as much as you want." After they entered, they were the only two people in this part of the library as far as they could see. Either the library is a popular place, or the number of scholars is very small, and more likely, both are established at the same time.

Seldon whispered, "I thought we'd have to show some kind of license or permit, and I was going to argue that I forgot." "Maybe he'll welcome us in no matter what we answer. Have you ever seen a place like this? If places die like people, we're inside a corpse." Most of the books in this area were printed books, like the Namu tome in Seldon's inner pocket. Dors wandered along the bookshelves, studying the books on display. "Ancient books, most of them are. Some are classics, and some are worthless." "Outside books--I mean, not by Michael?"

"Whoosh, that's right. If they have their own books, those books must be kept in another section. This section is dedicated to those poor self-proclaimed scholars doing outside research, such as the one yesterday-this is the reference library department, here is a A set of 'Imperial Encyclopedia...it must be fifty years old, and absolutely...and a computer." She reached out to touch the button, but Seldon stopped her: "Don't touch it. If there is any problem, we will be delayed." He pointed to a delicate sign on a row of free-standing bookshelves, on which was reflected "To the Holy Church" in a few shiny letters, and some of the strokes of the "Holy" were dull, which may have been broken recently, or it may be because No one cares. (The empire is in mourning, Seldon thought, as is every part of it, and Myqusen is no exception.)

He looked around.This humble library was so vital and integral to Mechson's pride; it could have been of great use to the elders - they could find a few words in it to support their faith.However, looking around, there was no one here, and no one followed them in. Seldon said, "Let us stay here, out of sight of the man at the door, and put our shoulder straps on." At that door, he suddenly realized that if they crossed this second barrier, they could never go back.He said, "Dors, don't come in with me." She frowned: "Why?" "It's not safe, I don't want you in danger."

"I'm here to protect you," she said in a gentle yet firm tone. "How can you protect me? Maybe you don't think so, but I can protect myself. If you are around, I will shrink back to protect you, don't you understand?" "You mustn't worry about me, Harry," said Dors. "It's my business." She patted her chest, her hands resting on the shoulder straps that stretched between the looming peaks. "Because Hummin asked you to?" "Because it's my mission." She reached out and grabbed Seldon's arms.As always, he was amazed by the firmness of her hands.She said: "I don't agree with it, Harry, but if you think you must go in, then I must follow."

"In that case, all right! If anything happens and you can get away with it, run away and leave me alone." "You're wasting your tongue, Harry, and you're insulting me." Seldon pressed the trigger, and the door slid open sideways.The two of them walked in at the same time, their movements almost identical.