Later on, when she was fully awake, Rachel was uncertain whether or not she had seen the figure or just reacted to his start of surprise. It had all been so sudden.

"It was myself," Nicholas said, ‘standing beside the bed gazing down at me. I recognized myself."

"What was it doing there?" Rachel said.

"Guarding me," Nicholas said. He knew it. He could tell from having seen the expression on the figure's face. So there was nothing to be afraid of. He had the impression that the figure, himself, had come back from the future, perhaps from a point vastly far ahead, to make certain that he, his prior self, was doing okay at a critical time in his life. The impression was distinct and strong and he could not rid himself of it.

Going into the living room, he got his German dictionary and checked the idiom that he had used. Sure enough, it was correct. It meant, literally, "I am it."

He and Rachel sat together in the living room, drinking instant coffee, in their pajamas.

"I wish I was sure if I saw it," Rachel kept repeating. "Something sure scared me. Did you hear me scream? I didn't know I could scream like that. I don't think I ever screamed like that before in my life. I wonder if the neighbors heard. I hope they don't call the police. I'll bet I woke them up. What time is it? It's getting light; it must be dawn."

"I never had anything like that happen before in my life," Nicholas said. "Boy, was I surprised, opening my eyes like I did and seeing it - me - standing there. What a shock. I wonder if anybody else ever had that happen to them. Boy."

"We're so near the neighbors," Rachel said. "I hope I didn't wake them."