“Did you imagine these?” asked Ace, pointing to the straws.
“Probably. It’s at least as likely as time-travel.”
“But what about corroboration? Your experience, and Barbara’s and Ace’s confirm each other. Doesnt that mean anything?”
“Certainly. Only I’m not prepared to say what. The mind can do anything; anything at all. Create boils and cancers. Why not ants and grass? I don’t know. I don’t know....”
After more fruitless argument, he and I left the workshop. I was again reminded of Enfandin—Why should I believe my eyes? I felt though that Midbin was carrying skepticism beyond rational limits; Barbara’s case was proved.
“Yes, yes,” he answered when I said this. “Why not?”
I puzzled over his reply. Then he added abruptly, “No one can help her now.”
18. THE WOMAN TEMPTED ME
Gently, Catty said, “Ive never understood why you cut yourself off from the past the way you have, Hodge.”
“Ay? What do you mean?”