Time and Again

by Simak Clifford

"Oh, they exist all right. They are there and you are aware of them. As aware of them as I am aware of you, or you of me."

"And they make sense?"

"Yes," said Sutton, "they make sense."

"And no one can get through again?"

Sutton shook his head. "Why don't you cross Cygni off your list? Pretend it isn't there. There is no danger from Cygni. The Cygnians will never bother Man, and Man will never get there. There is no use of trying?"

"They aren't mechanical?"

"No," said Sutton. "They're not mechanical."

Adams changed the subject "Let me see. How old are you, Ash?"

"Sixty-one," said Sutton.

"Humpf," said Adams. "Just a kid. Just getting started." His pipe had gone out and he worried at it with a finger, probing at the bowl, scowling at it.