Myra handed him a dry Martini. "I see. Lots of fun no doubt but what's the purpose? Fourth of July on the moon?" "Oh, no. If the experiment is a success the next rocket will carry men instead of a bomb." Myra went to the kitchen to see about supper. John called, "Where's Bobby? In bed I suppose." Myra didn't hear and John set his drink down and moved toward the bedroom. Maybe he was still awake. Bobby rolled over. His eyes popped open. "Dad! I thought you went to--" John Kendall sat down on the edge of the bed and tousled his son's hair. "No, son. It's the old _terra firma_ for me. Did you see the rocket blast?" "Uh-huh. It was really something. It went to the moon, didn't it?" "That's right." Kendall smiled and thought. Try to keep a secret from the kids. It just can't be done. "How's _your_ moon rocket coming along, son?" "Pretty good. Gee, Dad! As long as you didn't go, I'm glad I didn't go either." "You were planning to make the trip also?" "Uh-huh. I got into the rocket and was all set but I got to thinking about Mom--how one of us should stay and take care of her in case anything happened." "Smart thinking, son. Now you get to sleep. I'll have a little time tomorrow. We'll play some ball." "That will be keen!" John Kendall smiled as he left the bedroom. Kids were wonderful! Give them a few old boards and a steering wheel and they could build a ship to fly to the moon. What a wonderful dream world they lived in! Too bad they had to grow out of it. Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from _Imagination_ April 1956. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and typographical errors have been corrected without note. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Zero Hour, by Alexander Blade