The vanes began to thrum. Tom sat stiffly, gripping the sides of
the seat, then realized that the others had sunk back lazily in the
cushions. There was a moment of strain and they were falling ahead and
up. Looking out the side, Tom saw for a moment the sooty roof of the
ranch house and the blue of the pool and the pinkish umber of tanned
bodies. Then the helicopter lurched gently around. Without warning a
miserable uneasiness gripped him, a desire to cling mixed with an urge
to escape. He tried to convince himself it was fear of the height.
He heard Lois tell Jock, "That's the place, down by that rock that
looks like a wrecked spaceship."
The helicopter began to fall forward. Tom felt Lois' hand on his.
"You haven't answered my question," she said.
"What?" he asked dully.
"Whether you'll stay with us. At least for a while."