Конец вечности

           99,998-99,999-100,000-100,001-100,002-Thenumbersmountedandthetwomenwatchedthemcontinuetomountinparalyticsilence.

           ThenTwissellcried,"Thereisnobarrier."

           AndHarlananswered,"Therewas!Therewas!"Then,inagony,"Maybethey’vegother,andneedabarriernolonger."

           111,394th!

           Harlanleapedfromthekettle,andraisedhisvoice."Noys!Noys!"

           TheechoesbouncedoffthewallsoftheemptySectioninhollowsyncopation.

           Twissell,climbingoutmoresedately,calledaftertheyoungerman,"Wait,Harlan--"

           Thatwasuseless.Harlan,atarun,washurtlingalongthecorridorstowardthatportionoftheSectiontheyhadmadeakindofhome.

           HethoughtvaguelyofthepossibilityofmeetingoneofTwissell’s"evolvedmen"andmomentarilyhisskinprickled,butthenthatwasdrownedinhisurgentneedtofindNoys.

           "Noys!"

           Andallatonce,soquicklythatshewasinhisarmsbeforehewassurehehadseenheratall,shewasthereandwithhim,andherarmswerearoundhimandclutchinghimandhercheekwasagainsthisshoulderandherdarkhairwassoftagainsthischin.

           "Andrew?"shesaid,hervoicemuffledbythepressureofhisbody."Wherewereyou?It’sbeendaysandIwasgettingfrightened."

           Harlanheldheroutatarm’slength,staringatherwithakindofhungrysolemnity.