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the wall, his eyes wide and sick. He swayed. The doctor talked distantly, with assurance.
    â€œThe child was somehow affected by the birth pressure. There was a dimensional distructure caused by the simultaneous short-circuitings and malfunctionings of the new birth and hypnosis machines. Well, anyway,” the doctor ended lamely, “your baby was born into—another dimension.”
    Horn did not even nod. He stood there, waiting.
    Dr. Wolcott made it emphatic. “Your child is alive, well, and happy. It is lying there, on the table. But because it was born into anotherdimension it has a shape alien to us. Our eyes, adjusted to a three-dimensional concept, cannot recognize it as a baby. But it is . Underneath that camouflage, the strange pyramidal shape and appendages, it is your child.”
    Horn closed his mouth and shut his eyes. “Can I have a drink?”
    â€œCertainly.” A drink was thrust into Horn’s hands.
    â€œNow, let me just sit down, sit down somewhere a moment.” Horn sank wearily into a chair. It was coming clear. Everything shifted slowly into place. It was his child, no matter what. He shuddered. No matter how horrible it looked, it was his first child.
    At last he looked up and tried to see the doctor. “What’ll we tell Polly?” His voice was hardly a whisper.
    â€œWe’ll work that out this morning, as soon as you feel up to it.”
    â€œWhat happens after that? Is there any way to—change it back?”
    â€œWe’ll try. That is, if you give us permission to try. After all, it’s your child. You can do anything with him you want to do.”
    â€œHim?” Horn laughed ironically, shutting his eyes. “How do you know it’s a him?” He sank down into darkness. His ears roared.
    Wolcott was visibly upset. “Why, we—that is—well, we don’t know, for sure.”
    Horn drank more of his drink. “What if you can’t change him back?”
    â€œI realize what a shock it is to you, Mr. Horn. If you can’t bear to look upon the child, we’ll be glad to raise him here, at the Institute, for you.”
    Horn thought it over. “Thanks. But he still belongs to me and Polly. I’ll give him a home. Raise him like I’d raise any kid. Give him a normal home life. Try to learn to love him. Treat him right.” His lips were numb, he couldn’t think.
    â€œYou realize what a job you’re taking on, Mr. Horn? This child can’t be allowed to have normal playmates; why, they’d pester it to death in no time. You know how children are. If you decide to raise the child at home, his life will be strictly regimented, he must never be seen by anyone. Is that clear?”
    â€œYes. Yes, it’s clear. Doc. Doc, is he all right mentally?”
    â€œYes. We’ve tested his reactions. He’s a fine healthy child as far as nervous response and such things go.”
    â€œI just wanted to be sure. Now, the only problem is Polly.”
    Wolcott frowned. “I confess that one has me stumped. You know it is pretty hard on a woman to hear that her child has been born dead. But this , telling a woman she’s given birth to something not recognizable as human. It’s not as clean as death. There’s too much chance for shock. And yet I must tell her the truth. A doctor gets nowhere by lying to his patient.”
    Horn put his glass down. “I don’t want to lose Polly, too. I’d be prepared now, if you destroyed the child, to take it. But I don’t want Polly killed by the shock of this whole thing.”
    â€œI think we may be able to change the child back. That’s the point which makes me hesitate. If I thought the case was hopeless I’d make out a certificate of euthanasia immediately. But it’s at least worth a chance.”
    Horn was very tired. He was shivering quietly, deeply. “All right, doctor. It needs food, milk, and love until