Read Online The Big Front Yard and Other Stories by Clifford D. Simak - Free Book Online

sore,” said Taine. “They can’t come in here and take over without even asking me. I don’t care what anyone may think, this is my house. I was born here and I’ve lived here all my life and I like the place and –”
    â€œSure,” said Henry. “I know just how you feel.”
    â€œI suppose it’s childish of me, but I wouldn’t mind so much if they showed a willingness to sit down and talk about what they meant to do once they’d taken over. But there seems no disposition to even ask me what I think about it. And I tell you, Henry, this is different than it seems. This is not a place where we can walk in and take over, no matter what Washington may think. There is something out there and we better watch our step –”
    â€œI was thinking,” Henry interrupted, “as I was sitting here, that your attitude is most commendable and deserving of support. It has occurred to me that it would be most unneighborly of me to go on sitting here and leave you in the fight alone. We could hire ourselves a fine array of legal talent and we could fight the case and in the meantime we could form a land and development company and that way we could make sure that this new world of yours is used the way it should be used.
    â€œIt stands to reason, Hiram, that I am the one to stand beside you, shoulder to shoulder, in this business since we’re already partners in this TV deal.”
    â€œWhat’s this about TV?” shrilled Abbie, slapping a plate of cakes down in front of Taine.
    â€œNow, Abbie,” Henry said patiently, “I have explained to you already that your TV set is back of that partition down in the basement and there isn’t any telling when we can get it out.”
    â€œYes, I know,” said Abbie, bringing a platter of sausages and pouring a cup of coffee.
    Beasly came in from the living room and went bumbling out the back.
    â€œAfter all,” said Henry, pressing his advantage, “I would suppose I had some hand in it. I doubt you could have done much without the computer I sent over.”
    And there it was again, thought Taine. Even Henry thought he’d been the one who did it.
    â€œBut didn’t Beasly tell you?”
    â€œBeasly said a lot, but you know how Beasly is.”
    And that was it, of course. To the villagers it would be no more than another Beasly story – another whopper that Beasly had dreamed up. There was no one who believed a word that Beasly said.
    Taine picked up the cup and drank his coffee, gaining time to shape an answer and there wasn’t any answer. If he told the truth, it would sound far less believable than any lie he’d tell.
    â€œYou can tell me, Hiram. After all, we’re partners.”
    He’s playing me for a fool, thought Taine. Henry thinks he can play anyone he wants for a fool and sucker.
    â€œYou wouldn’t believe me if I told you, Henry.”
    â€œWell,” Henry said, resignedly, getting to his feet, “I guess that part of it can wait.”
    Beasly came tramping and banging through the kitchen with another load of cans.
    â€œI’ll have to have some gasoline,” said Taine, “if I’m going out for Towser.”
    â€œI’ll take care of that right away,” Henry promised smoothly. “I’ll send Ernie over with his tank wagon and we can run a hose through here and fill up those cans. And I’ll see if I can find someone who’ll go along with you.”
    â€œThat’s not necessary. I can go alone.”
    â€œIf we had a radio transmitter. Then you could keep in touch.”
    â€œBut we haven’t any. And, Henry, I can’t wait. Towser’s out there somewhere –”
    â€œSure, I know how much you thought of him. You go out and look for him if you think you have to and I’ll get started on this other business. I’ll get some lawyers lined up and we’ll draw up some sort of