"Of course," said Pete. "In their condition. I'd forgotten."
"And I'm told that things have been somewhat unpleasant in the East just now," said the Grdznth.
Pete thought of Tommy, red-faced and frantic, beating off hordes of indignant citizens. "So I hear," he said. "How many more of you are coming through?"
"Oh, not many, not many at all. Only the Wives—half a million or so—and their spouses, of course." The creature clicked his talons nervously. "We haven't much more time, you know. Only a few more weeks, a few months at the most. If we couldn't have stopped over here, I just don't know what we'd have done."
"Think nothing of it," said Pete indulgently. "It's been great having you."
The passengers within earshot stiffened, glaring at Pete. The fat lady was whispering indignantly to her seat companion. Junior had half emerged from his mother's collar; he was busy sticking out his tongue at the Grdznth.
The creature shifted uneasily. "Really, I think—perhaps Florida would be better."
"Going to try it again right now? Don't rush off," said Pete.
"Oh, I don't mean to rush. It's been lovely, but—" Already the Grdznth was beginning to fade out.
"Try four miles down and a thousand miles southeast," said Pete.