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Show f7 and the kitchen was the one Bill had torn out, building in its place what he called the speaker with ideal dimensions, a speaker custom built and enclosed in a box nearly as large as the original wall. It protruded into the room, resting on the floor and connected to the walls and the ceiling widi a new wall, one which would pick up the vibrations and transmit them throughout the house. Bill grew very animated talking about it, his eyes an insane blaze, and he went on and on about proportions and woofers and tweeters and such, most of it too technical for Joan and Roland to understand, but the effect, ap-parendy, would be like being in this room with a live orchestra, which did vibrate buildings, the vibrations in good halls increasing the resonance and tonal qualities. Bill had tried out his machine, of course, and had every reason to believe this house was nearly an ideal building, as perfectly seasoned as a Stradivarius. Just to one side of the speaker sat the pre-amplifier and amplifier and turn-table, each in its separate, hand-rubbed cabinet, the most powerful amplifier for a hi-fi set, Bill said proudly, in existence. Probably. Most likely. He was sure of it. And now, if they would hurry their coffee a little, he had a treat for diem. So they drank off their coffee and poured brandy, Bill declining his impatiently. I'll bet Beethoven's Ninth really comes through on a set like this, said Roland. Of course, said Bill. But I've got a real treat for tonight, a recording of a train. A train? Uh-huh, he said, nodding, smiling. Just a train, but don't knock it till you hear it. And to really do this right, you two go out front and make like you're standing in front of a train station. Out front? It's cooler out there anyhow, said Bill. Now come on, let's go! Can we hear it out there? asked Roland. Bill turned slightly pale: Are you suggesting . . . Joan grabbed Roland's arm and pulled him outside. That's the point, she said, to show us how well we can hear it outside. I'll make him put on some music afterwards. Do you like the Ninth? And indeed the front lawn was much cooler, and heavy with dusk and beginning stars, a balmy scented summer evening. Roland sipped his brandy and looked at Joan: You shouldn't have used me as 174 |