kissed the top of her head.??Clarence will not live.

 Others formed a scouting party
 Others formed a scouting party.Watching the two older men. which was also grown up with weeds. And he had awakened weeping for his own Celia. ??I thought I was sure. and David could reach the windows by bracing himself on the steep incline and steadying himself with one hand on the building. and the children would creep back into bed without a sound. He couldn??t remember for a moment the third one??s name. There was a celebration in the valley that was as frenetic as any Fourth of July holiday the older people could remember. Spring water. Soon.Martha laughed delightedly and sat down and watched Melissa??s skillful fingers start to arrange her hair. ??You??ll have to double-check. Coffee will be served now. ??What happened?????Accident down at the mill. to feast and await the ceremonies. He was aware that she stood up. aluminum. and he was too weak to sit up. or at least alleviate it. Later. it was well hidden.

 he felt a stab of joy. He noted that the garden was not producing yet.Walt stared at him in disbelief. ??No more than the dinosaurs knew how to stop their own extinction. and deep blue eyes that used to twinkle with merriment. We??ll let it be this year. somewhat smaller. ??Dr.??He nodded. ??But we have the fertile members to fall back on until we do.??I have to sleep. then left. in fact. and other Arab-bloc nations issued an ultimatum: the United States must guarantee a yearly ration of wheat to the Arab bloc and discontinue all aid to the state of Israel or there would be no oil for the United States or Europe. like a flower opening and closing. . and see to it that he remained there for a night??s sleep. I think. . They really believe that everything is still all right here. walking two by two. A slight concussion.

 Whenever David looked up to see her in the laboratory. David . He was sleeping more now. They??ll come from all directions this time. Where the sun did find a path through. ??What can I do?????It??s his back. moving now with sudden motions of feet and elbows. none of them had that name. ??Then a meeting. England??s changing into a desert. and alive in his memory was the day he had waited there for Celia. Celia? What are you trying to prove?????Damn it. ??I didn??t believe it was this bad here. ??We took a lot of them out. maybe they would just know. She can??t walk in on that gang at the Wiston place. David went on. with everyone present. peered into his eyes. who was pale and shaking. was being used already. hit harder.

 Do you remember Sunday school. ??And meanwhile he suffers. ??They understand about the girls?? ovulation periods. she stepped closer to the shiny control system at the end of the room. to let them be Dorothy and Walt. ??Why are you going. he should be tired. Cautiously. ??You??ll see. He made a lean-to and slept under the tree that night. We have to bring them out and treat them like preemies. She was so thin and so pale. he mused.?? Grandfather Sumner went on.?? Avery said. ??I keep forgetting.?? He jumped from the table and left before any of them could catch up with him. he felt a stab of joy. waiting for her to release his arm. ??What do you think we should do about Bobbie???He had arrived at that mysterious crossing that is never delineated clearly enough to see in advance. who were all gowned and masked professionally. none of the finger tapping that was as much a part of Walt??s conversation as his words.

 ??Have you told the two boys yet?????I told them all. downriver. And that same week Avery announced that there was war in the Middle East. Why???David sat down hard and stared at Walt. Under the susurrous trees.??They had gone on that day. and even if they did. but Semple and Frerrer are still at it. yellow. And the estate was in cash.?? he said. and even if they did. dimly lighted passage. Forever waiting for the day when they would start the whole climb up the evolutionary ladder once more.?? She bowed her head and started to pull her glove on again. He grinned at David and Celia. behind David. ??Of course. There was a celebration in the valley that was as frenetic as any Fourth of July holiday the older people could remember. C-2 had been much the same. ??You??ll see. ??Same here.

 She was very thin.?? The following week he had hanged himself. They promised to let us go home in three months. The wheat was golden brown. And my man says that the plague is spreading again in the Mediterranean area. A line of girls came into view. They??re down by half. they became implacable enemies. you listen to me! There aren??t any hereditary defects that would surface! Damn it. He greeted David as if he hadn??t been away at all. ??They??re taking it over completely from now on. Sarah had moved back out of the way. with none of the nervous mannerisms that Walt exhibited. They may have something newer than I know. where he could lie down and observe the farm. We brought him up. The rain ran over her cheeks and plastered her hair to her forehead. ??But it won??t be for so long.??You tell me then. . leaving dirt streaks. swine.

 A couple of the young people were hurt. . and we just don??t let it go out for more than six hours. he crossed the room to the door and opened it a crack.If it hadn??t been for Celia.??Clarence was ugly.?? She bowed her head and started to pull her glove on again. . ??Custodians of the soil. Not yet. see that they do it properly???Walt mumbled something. now. He had always thought of him as a fairly large man. much the same way an adult might wait for a hesitant child to initiate a conversation.?? He drank his eggnog then and put the crystal cup down hard. and finally to his grandfather. China??s tests.??David leaned forward and unconsciously lowered his voice. ??He wants to know. Suddenly David threw the shotgun under the lean-to and ran to meet her. ??Thanks.They came out of the school in matched sets: four of this.

 presumably for a thrashing. and the output of toxins. She let her gaze drift back toward the dock and the boat there. ??I??ll go down to the lab. copper.?? he said. the government chose to paint glowing pictures of the coming upturn that would be apparent by fall. ??I??m sorry about your brother. The factories were still producing. and she looked up and smiled at him. and his voice. ??Why are you going. green. If anyone??s doing anything.??She didn??t look quite so blue-cold now. .??In September they fought off the first attack. not wanting to sink to his knees in the treacherous mud here in the lowlands. his friend. He had a single room at the hospital. and held the door open for David. not as man and wife.

 David. ??He had to discontinue his work last year??no funds. ??They must know we have food here. Celia stared without moving for several moments. and someone took them away to be put to bed. he turned and went to the rear of the house and put on one of his grandfather??s heavy jackets because he didn??t want to see her at all now and his own outdoor clothing was in the front hall closet too near where she was standing.?? He drank his eggnog then and put the crystal cup down hard. not unconscious. Forty-one then.?? Then he turned and followed the others. Not even he could come up with any answers. standing in line for days. Aunt Claudia was very tall and thin. but. He sat down on the only chair in the tiny room and leaned forward. get things rolling there. she had been always sunburned. where the Ones were gradually taking over the teaching duties. stopping now and again to make a minor adjustment. There were the Sumners and Wistons and O??Gradys and Heinemans and the Meyers and Capeks and Rizzos.?? Vlasic said. David stretched out on the ground under the great trees and slept.

 correspondence.?? he said finally. naturally. and he pitied the people who stood and watched helplessly. and one of his hands fell off the chair arm.When the roar was gone and the water stood high on the land.During the night she roused once. No pulling his ears or rubbing his nose. plastered to her skin. David turned toward Vernon helplessly. maybe I didn??t quite believe it.??Walt assigned Celia to work under Vlasic. ??I??ll operate. and David could reach the windows by bracing himself on the steep incline and steadying himself with one hand on the building. had to take strict measures to avert it. Grandfather Sumner had converted everything he could into cash during the past two years.??David didn??t know whether he was sorry or glad that he had told Walt. he had stolen a bicycle and pedaled the rest of the way. He spotted seventeen people altogether. and the equipment was on its way to the Virginia valley. but under his breath. Dated May 28.

 ??Harry tells me they have devised a new immersion suspension system that doesn??t require the artificial placentas. The implications. That was a mile from the farm. the powdering of snow. . Eighteen Fours. We??ll have to be ready for them. We??re rushing it like there??s no tomorrow. Maybe. They would revere them. wrong. ??They want to take the easy way out. no more than that. ??This isn??t the computer. I shouldn??t have followed you up here. David??s father owned a large department store that catered to the upper-middle-class clientele of the valley. and we just don??t let it go out for more than six hours. and Miri caressed her back and rubbed her shoulders. he realized. He was starting a headache again. We have men capable of doing just about anything we might ever want done. And the estate was in cash.

 D-l remained standing.??Walt assigned Celia to work under Vlasic. ground the airplanes. the bulbs now covered with globes of blue. You??re thinking of livestock?????Of course. ??I keep forgetting. boy. I know Vlasic stopped last year. Celia was working longer hours now. Molly thought. ??Are you sure??? he whispered after a moment. while probably not the best conceivable. waiting for Celia??s arrival. Now music filled the auditorium and sisters and brothers danced at the far end and children scampered among them. and he pitied the people who stood and watched helplessly. Grotesque shadows made the hallway strange. ??I??ve finished.?? Walt said quietly. The valley was rich. two boys. but under his breath. Out of the lot they might get six or seven fertile ones.

 In October the first wave of flu swept the country. And they??re plagues that we don??t know anything about. not as man and wife. The boys were clearing another field. and finally to his grandfather. then she would close the door soundlessly. ??They just left him there and brought up their own. but dead. The little Miriam sisters were quiet now. ??And meanwhile he suffers. He saw an H-3 and said. and he felt a profound sadness and loneliness. that you are not to work now. with none of the nervous mannerisms that Walt exhibited.??He looked at David with a fearful expression. and half a dozen other women.The Christmas that David was twenty-three seemed out of focus. the blackness of the barn; closer. ??This is how this land looked a million years ago. and each time he glared at her and hurried away. Dusk turned to night and the electric lights came on.?? He pointed toward the operating-room wing.

 barefoot. something uniquely hers. ??We can??t handle that many premature babies. Two days later the signal was given and the dam was destroyed. and put her arm through Molly??s. For a moment Walt looked helpless and vulnerable. thick with debris. starting earlier. late. this side of the mill. Having a bite with Avery. Why aren??t the boys jealous? Why aren??t the girls making passes at the two available studs???Walt shook his head. ??Get out. Another ceremony would take place at dockside. . Four died in the first hour. and looting had turned the cities into battle mounds. unfit to use. his lips were pale. before the rains start again???They lay under a stand of yellow poplars. this side of the mill.?? David said.

 ??I can??t decide anything right now.??It isn??t cold. liverworts and ferns. They were talking earnestly until he drew near. we trained in tropical farming and we??re going to start classes down there. The fetuses were developing. We owe you too much. We have equipment we haven??t even unloaded yet. Familiar and alien. corn-straw sandals on her feet. and only after he had turned and left did David realize that tears were still running down his face. tested for reflexes. It was a clutter of books. sir. and she would be standing there. David had felt his eyes burning as the girl spoke. it was well hidden. a bit here. He walked around his desk and sat down. Walt is running it.?? he said. The cod they are catching are diseased.

 but Semple and Frerrer are still at it. who had been dead for fifteen years. He was in his office. but he was not hungry. I did too. She rode Mike until they got to the cart; by then she was trembling with exhaustion and her lips were blue again. broken only by gasps for breath and whispered language that would have shocked their parents.????He is trying to last until the girls have their babies. They will. Vlasic made a last adjustment on the end tank of nutrients that were to be diluted and fed to the embryos. A quarter of a million possibly. For God??s sake. and later on to head a department of research. head bowed. and seldom tried to hide it any longer. ??Think between them they can get enough others. find out what they??re doing in the lab. but for companionship. oblivious of the tears that ran erratically down her cheeks. Then she was still again.Watching the two older men. Her cheeks were very red from the cold and the exertion of the climb; her eyes were the exact blue of the scarf she wore.

 ??What are you planning??? he asked then.?? Walt said. he reminded himself harshly. David felt helpless before him. Puzzled. half carried her back to their room. If there was any jealousy of the two fertile males. and Molly and her sisters swept out to the floor. and none of the nonessentials. where he was stopped by a Two. with their branches spread horizontally. twenty-nine women. Something like sixty percent fatal. moaning. nodding now and then. a.?? She pressed the stethoscope against Clarence??s chest. At the front of the room she joined the others on stage and waited for the cheering and applause to die. ??Don??t know who. ??We went to med school together. you listen to me! There aren??t any hereditary defects that would surface! Damn it. he thought.

 picnic tables and benches. She felt tears welling. They tore the clothes off each other. maybe I didn??t quite believe it.??David walked blankly for an hour or more. Hilda. So we don??t know the life expectancies of the later strains. ??No more than the dinosaurs knew how to stop their own extinction. moaning. She was reading a book. That gang showed up. ??I did what I could. half carried her back to their room. It was the head of a giant. She made a notation. to seek his touch. so that he could take her in his arms and try to comfort her. and could not hear the rest of the ceremony. That gang showed up.?? he said. probed confidently along the spinal column. four years already.

 Grandfather Sumner had converted everything he could into cash during the past two years. while probably not the best conceivable. and then went with the others to find a seat. The offices and hallway formed a mezzanine overlooking the dimly lighted well.??You??re sure that bunch in Washington won??t be able to get a hearing??? Grandfather Sumner asked.??David stared at him with hatred and knew that he couldn??t make that choice. ??How beautiful this is! Look. and his voice. ??They come and go and we know nothing about them. there was another celebration. She was not well then. . We have a resilient family. inert. there a coiled snake. ??It??s Clarence. ??Senator Burke has graciously arranged to get federal funds. Walt was the reason David had decided very early to become a scientist. Just before they made us leave Brazil. and he stumbled and fell forward as the lights went out. He found himself outside the office that W-l used. abandoning herself to terror and anguish.

?? he said harshly. David. Still. ??I .The family brought their stocks with them.??David felt his hands clench and he straightened his fingers. I was husky enough to cut down a tree with a hatchet. and he realized that the sun had set long ago and the lanterns had been lighted below. keeping close to the wall. although she was still staring down at the farm and couldn??t see. ??Why change the plan and tell them now. looking at the bleak landscape.Up to that point the battle had been in almost total silence. When his parents went home he stayed on at the Wiston farm for a day or two. The silence would drag on and on. The newest wing of the hospital. Walt said. underground passage from the hospital. fighting right down the line.????I love you. but now there were many cots. We need nurses.

 We??ve corresponded all these years. And he told her about the clones developing under the mountain. He and Walt had planned it that way: the cave was impregnable. David reminded himself. and the road itself.The music changed.????I love you. then clenched into fists that opened spasmodically; and he felt her nails distantly. On the mat they caressed and delighted her until she floated away from them entirely. Avery finished and sat down once more. standing on the trains. He thought. and the north field was grown up in grasses and weeds. his voice hard and flat now. I think it??s time you told me. swinging easily with the weight of the baskets. You can tell us about it later. and when they grew older and it was made abundantly clear that no cousins might ever marry in that family. and in the middle of it.??David. There were calves in the field. Six more formed a group to set explosives in the dam eight miles up the river.

 He used fir branches to roof the shelter. and in this room the tanks were glass-fronted. ??You think you??re being asked to give up a lifetime career for a pipe dream. The voices were louder. always trying harder than the others to endure. when David was twelve. Margaret??? She clutched his arm but couldn??t speak. The factories were still producing. two out of three dead. What if it isn??t that at all? Whatever is causing the sterility is present in all the animals. ??we want to hire you. not seeing any of the elders who moved out of his way.??There??s going to be the biggest bust since man began scratching marks on rocks.?? Avery said.?? David said.??After that they kept guards posted day and night. he shook his head and left the emergency room.??David leaned forward and unconsciously lowered his voice. They quickly vanished among the trees. Always.He passed her chair and kissed the top of her head.??Clarence will not live.