Ethel G. Lewis

“ We are human plus, Sara. Our forms are human. Our ways of nourishment and reproduction are human, but we have added abilities. For instance we can contract our bodies so as to enter a crack in a wall no more than a hairs-breadth. Also we have the means within us of exuding through our pores a protective glaze against die sun when in our flight to and from the home planet we feel the sun's fire. ”

“ Theresa, moaned Sara voicelessly as her body rocked, oh, Theresa you didn't know he was a fiend . . .
"To continue," his voice was cool and kindly. "Because there can be no follow up by the clerk, there is a color additive in the capsule he administers. This tints the skin of the prospective recruit a faint blue discernible to our floating agents. Such as you would be, Sara. It is not a demanding task to simply walk about and look at people. Really that is all there is to it, my dear. You would have received excellent training before you begin. ”

“ Smith's a real considerate person," said Theresa. "Not like the others. They want me to pussyfoot around after them, you know, they have to act like the big mahoff! Not him. He stops and says good-evening and tells me to keep right on with my reports."
Listening, Sara wondered secretly whether there was significance in the fact that Dr. Smith specifically asked Theresa to stay where she was and not to follow him on his rounds. Well, there was ample room for speculation in the thought and Sara had some exciting inward moments. ”

“ The beating of her heart was repeated throughout her whole body with great painful thumps.
"You can help us, Sara," he said, disregarding what she had said. "In our land each man chooses his own field of endeavor and is equipped for top efficiency in that field. In our laboratories our astronomers and chemists and doctors are provided with eyesight perpetual, piercing and infallible. Our farmers and tenders of the grass are equipped with backs and hand which will never tire, being made of the strongest metal ever forged."
Her throat had closed. ”

“ Change in our physical appearance stops at the age of twenty-five," he rubbed his chin. "I have been on Earth for eight years and the toll is great. I am but thirty-four but I appear to have passed half a century. How vastly different it is at home. ”

“ You will be a fine recruit, Sara. And later we can discuss whether you will do your best work here on Earth or on the home planet. You might, if you wish, remain on in the hospital, put in a request for ward duty and assist me directly. ”

“ On the fourth day after swallowing the capsule the prospect will not go home from his job. Or a woman, possibly marketing or returning from an afternoon with friends, will not return home to cook dinner. The prospect, his consciousness eager for change will drift until spotted by one of us. The floating agent is efficient, and alert. The prospect taken under the wing of the agent . ”

“ Dr. Horton Smith has done the surgery on all patients who have mysteriously left the hospital.
2. Dr. Smith bends over the patient immediately after the first incision is made.
3. Dr. Smith has made it a practice to pay a midnight call to his patients on the fourth night after surgery.
Sara had learned this third fact on her list from her good friend Theresa Chase who was on the night shift in Surgical. She had a great deal in common with Theresa since they were both past forty, and sensibly resigned to never marrying or having children. ”

“ If she began to Walk out he would not stop her. She took a tentative step and his voice followed her.
"At home, we walk on grass everywhere. Your cement hurts our feet through our shoes no matter how thick the soles." ”