He stood there like some fantastic scarecrow, arms outstretched — swearing very softly to himself.
With impotent rage, he tried to bring his arms together. It was like trying to squeeze a block of cement. That was the physical factor behind his rage. But the psychological was greater. The inability to even guess at what was going on right under his nose. It was almost as if the springs were allergic to man. They withstood every physical torture that engineering could devise. But mounted in a suit and worn by a man, they failed.
Kimberly gave a shrug of disgust. He'd be suspecting somebody of hexing the suits next if he kept up that line of reasoning. There was a perfectly logical, physical explanation for the failure of the springs. It was right under his nose. It must be fatigue that kept him from seeing it, he thought. At any rate, there was nothing more to be done, now. He couldn't accomplish anything with his arms sticking out like boards.
He might as well get out of the suit and have some dinner. Then he'd call the engineers down for an all-night session if necessary. The week end vacation was off. He'd have to let Bernice know he hadn't left. He started for the door.
And nearly fell on his face.
He hadn't even heard it or felt it. But while he'd stood there the entire set of springs in the left leg of the suit had collapsed and left him stifflegged.
Sweat suddenly formed a moist film on his face. If the right leg should also go, he'd be in one sweet jam!
Cautiously, he tested it. He raised one foot slowly and carefully, making sure to maintain his balance on the leg that couldn't be shifted if he needed its sudden counteraction.
All the joints of the right side were still good. But it was a gamble how long they would hold. More than seventy-five percent of the springs in the suits were gone now. He couldn't expect the rest to last much longer at that rate.
Irritation gave way to apprehension lest he fail to make it to the door of the chamber. Carefully, he put his foot down and gave an awkward hop. His instinctive dependence on both legs nearly undid him. He tottered in the heavy suit and fell against the row of carcasses.