I-330 was at the table. I rushed towards her.

“You? You! I have been.⁠ ⁠… I saw your room.⁠ ⁠… I thought you.⁠ ⁠…” But midway I hurt myself upon the sharp, motionless spears of her eyelashes and I stopped. I remembered: she looked at me in the same way before⁠—in the Integral . It was urgent to tell her everything in one second and in such a way that she should believe⁠—or she would never.⁠ ⁠…

“Listen, I-330 , I must.⁠ ⁠… I must⁠ ⁠… everything! No, no, one moment⁠—let me have a glass of water first.”

My mouth was as dry as though it were lined with blotting paper. I poured a glass of water but I could not.⁠ ⁠… I put the glass back upon the table, and with both hands firmly grasped the carafe.