From behind, from the confusion of breathing bodies⁠—a loud voice:

“But this is folly!”

It seems to me it was I, yes, I am certain it was I, who then jumped on the rock; from there I saw the sun, heads, a green sea on a blue background, and I cried:

“Yes, yes, precisely. All must become insane; we must become insane as soon as possible! We must; I know it.”

I-330 was at my side. Her smile⁠—two dark lines from the angles of her mouth directed upward.⁠ ⁠… And within me a blazing coal. It was momentary, light, a little painful, beautiful.⁠ ⁠… And later⁠—only stray fragments that remained sticking in me.⁠ ⁠…

… Very low and slowly a bird was moving. I saw it was living, like me. It was turning its head now to the right and then to the left like a human being, and its round black eyes screwed themselves into me.⁠ ⁠…