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The books in his oelling were the only books that Jonas had ever seen He had never known that other books existed

But this room's walls were completely covered by bookcases, filled, which reached to the ceiling There must have been hundreds--perhaps thousands--of books, their titles embossed in shiny letters

Jonas stared at thees contained Could there be rules beyond the rules that governed the community? Could there be more descriptions of offices and factories and committees?

He had only a second to look around because he are that thehihtly, and said, "I'm Jonas"

"I know Welconized the man He was the Elder who had seeh he was dressed in the sa that only Elders wore

Jonas looked self-consciously into the pale eyes that ize for "

He waited, but the y response

After a ht--Ihie were ever to be important, it was certainly important now, in the presence of this man, "that you are the receiver of Mened, Iat all Not yet"

The htfully, silently It was a look that combined interest, curiosity, concern, and perhaps a little sy today, this moment, at least to me, you are The Receiver

"I have been The Receiver for a long ti time You can see that, can't you?"

Jonas nodded Thein their unusual lightness, seemed tired The flesh around them was darkened into shadowed circles

"I can see that you are very old," Jonas responded with respect The Old were always given the highest respect

Theflesh on his own face with amusement "I am not, actually, as old as I look," he told Jonas "This job has aged me I know I look as if I should be scheduled for release very soon But actually I have a good deal of tih, when you were selected It took the tio, and th I have re We have hard and painful work to do, you and I

"Please sit down," he said, and gestured toward the nearby chair Jonas lowered himself onto the soft cushioned seat

The"When I becahtened, as I'm sure you are" He opened his eyes for a moment and peered at Jonas, who nodded

The eyes closed again "I ca tio

"The previous Receiver seemed just as old to me as I do to you He was just as tired as I am today"

He sat forward suddenly, opened his eyes, and said, "Youthis process It is forbidden to talk of it"

"I know, sir I have read the instructions," Jonas said

"So I s as clear as I should" The man chuckled "My job is important and has enormous honor But that does not mean I am perfect, and when I tried before to train a successor, I failed Please ask any questions that will help you"

In his mind, Jonas had questions A thousand A million questions Asthe walls But he did not ask one, not yet

The hts in order Then he spoke again "Sih it's not really simple at all, my job is to transmit to you all the memories I have within me Memories of the past"

"Sir," Jonas said tentatively, "I would be very interested to hear the story of your life, and to listen to your ," he added quickly

The ies in this room We haven't time"

"Well," Jonas went on, uncoain, "I am really interested, I don't mean that I'm not But I don't exactly understand why it's so important I could do some adult job in the community, and in my recreation time I could come and listen to the stories from your childhood I'd like that Actually," he added, "I've done that already, in the House of the Old The Old like to tell about their childhoods, and it's always fun to listen"

Theclear It's not my past, not my childhood that Ihis head against the back of the upholstered chair "It's the h "Before you, before enerations before him"

Jonas frowned "The whole world?" he asked "I don't understand Do you mean not just us? Not just the community? Do you rasp the concept "I'm sorry, sir I don't understand exactly Maybe I'h I don't knohat you enerations before hiht there was only now"

"There's oes beyond--all that is Elsewhere--and all that goes back, and back, and back I received all of those, when I was selected And here in this rooain It is hoisdom comes And hoe shape our future"

He rested for a hted with them," he said

Jonas felt a terrible concern for the man, suddenly