 How long was Mary standing outside?
Yes, I'm sure you did," she said, finishing the ritual; but her voice broke, and she turned her head away. But I don't think I ever really believed it was possible—not until this morning when you said tonight was the take-off. It existed only because of the huge ship standing poised in the take-off zone five miles away in the desert. Its future as a town rested with the ship, and the town seemed to feel the uncertainty of its future, seemed ready to stop existing as a town and to give itself back to the desert, if such was its destiny.
 For almost half a day.
 She had gone home but came back for the launch.  For almost half a day.  For a couple hours as Phil went through pre-boarding procedure.  A full 24 hours.