Earl blinked. He cleared his throat loudly and said, "One thing at a time, Nadine. There's lots for you to learn. In the meantime, how does it happen you know English so well? If you're from--some other planet--you certainly don't speak it as your native language." "It was taught to us for the expedition," Nadine said. "I think there must have been an accident. Can you tell me anything about it? The first I remember is just before you picked me up in your enormous hand." Earl told her everything he knew. She listened, nodding her head at times. "I think I understand now," she said when he finished. "The stasis spheres. Somehow mine and George Ladd's were fractured, so that we emerged on the bench. He was in the green one." "You mean you were _in_ one of those marbles?" Earl exclaimed. "Where is the ship?" Nadine said. Earl took her to the window and pointed out the spot. "You can't see it from here," he said. "But I have some of the--what did you call them? Stasis spheres? I'll show you." He unlocked the drawer. Nadine leaned over, seeming to look inside of each translucent marble. "Yes," she said, straightening. "It's gone wrong, somehow. The Cyberene will be most annoyed." "The Cyberene? What's that?" Nadine stared down into the drawer, frowning. "You wouldn't understand," she said. And then, "I'm hungry." Earl frowned. "That reminds me. I have to go to dinner at Dr. Glassman's in a little while, or Mrs. Glassman will come barging in here. I'll fix you something first. After I get back I'll take you to a hotel." Nadine perched on the edge of the table in his kitchenette while he opened some cans and heated their contents. "How does it smell?" Earl asked after a while. "Good?" "Strange," Nadine said. "Not entirely strange. Some of the smells are familiar." "Would you like a cocktail?" Earl said. He didn't wait for her answer. He was acutely conscious of playing the host. "This is my favorite drink. A dash of rum, a little vodka, lime juice, powdered sugar, ice cubes and seltzer. There." He handed her one of the two glasses. "How do you like it?" Nadine sipped the drink cautiously. "Good," she said. "I was thirsty too." "What is the Cyberene?" Earl said, dishing steaming food into a plate set precariously on the edge of the stove. "The--the Cyberene," Nadine said as though that explained it. "How do you eat that food without getting dirty? And there's such an enormous amount of it. I'm used to capsules, with lots of water to help digest them." "Oh. Dehydrated foods," Earl said. "Damn! I wish I didn't have to go to that dinner. Stay in here while I change my clothes." "Earl," Nadine said as he was about to leave the room. "Yes?" he said, turning to look at her questioningly. "What does damn mean? I can't get the sense of it." "It's an adornment of speech," he said. "Like clothes." * * * * *