"No wonder the records didn't last, if this is the way they were kept."
"Vassi, can you touch the books?" She got up and went to the bookcase.
"Yes."
"Pick one up."
"They're no use to me. This isn't history."
"Pick one up!"
"I haven't got the time. I have to move on."
"Vassi, you touched the faucet, didn't you? And you knocked on the
door."
"Yes.... That _does_ mean I can bring back artifacts!"
"Why can't you touch me?"
"Now I have to get to a place that will do me some good. A library, a
store, isn't that what you call them? A museum.... Are any of these
things nearby?"
"Let me go with you. I'll be your guide. I'll--I'll show you my time."
"But won't you be uncomfortable? I'm invisible."
"I don't care! No one can steal you from me this way."
"Steal me?"
"Vassi, why can't you touch me!"
"I'm not too sure. I think it's because you're alive. You see, life is
a transient thing. Matter is continuous in one form or another. Matter
existing today always existed and will always exist, or something like
that. I didn't listen too carefully. Anyhow, it's possible for someone
to travel back in time but not ahead. Do I make myself clear? It's out
of my line, you know."