With what eyes would I have looked at the glass monster had everything remained as it was yesterday? If I knew that tomorrow at twelve I should betray it, yes, betray.⁠ ⁠… Someone behind cautiously touched my elbow. I turned around. The plate-like, flat face of the Second Builder.

“Do you know already?” he asked.

“What? About the Operation? Yes. How everything, everything⁠ ⁠… suddenly.⁠ ⁠…”

“No, not that. The trial flight is put off until day-after-tomorrow⁠—on account of that Operation. They rushed us for nothing; we hurried.⁠ ⁠…”

“On account of that Operation!” Funny, limited man. He could see no farther than his own platter! If only he knew that but for the Operation tomorrow at twelve he would be locked-up in a glass cage, would be tossing about, trying to climb the walls!