Walt was sweating now. His hands were clenched into fists. He was almost certain that the argument was for his benefit: to make their seeming acquiescence less suspicious.
I'm coming out. One of you come to me.
Walt let out his breath. "There's a chance—" He went to the table and scooped up the birth certificates. "I hope one of these fits."
"Walt!" Julia cried. "If it doesn't!"
"... they were my friends," he said. "I was raised with them. Maybe they'll believe me anyway. Bob and Jim and Dave and Reg and Willy...." Walt shrugged.
He crossed to the doorway. He left the laboratory.
Just outside he waited. One of the five saucer ships approached. He could see Julia's face at the window. It was drawn and pathetic. He wanted to go back and comfort her and tell her everything was going to be all right.
How sweet she was! Now that she was no longer infinitely wise and superior, now that she was dependent and helpless: how sweet she was!
He wanted to protect her. His heart swelled with sadness and with joy.
The saucer ship hovered. He motioned it closer. It drew in toward him like a nervous colt.