"I suppose," went on the astronomer, "you think it's deuced funny my dropping in casually this way after all this time, but the fact is I came on purpose. I want to get some information from you straight."
"Go ahead!" said Bennie. "What's it about?"
"Well, in a word," answered Thornton, "the earth's nearly a quarter of an hour behind time."
Hooker received this announcement with a polite interest but no astonishment.
"That's a how-de-do!" he remarked. "What's done it?"
"That's what I want you to tell me," said Thornton sternly. "What could do it?"
Hooker unlaced his legs and strolled over to the mantel.
"Have a cracker?" he asked, helping himself. Then he picked up a piece of wood and began whittling. "I suppose there's the devil to pay?" he suggested. "Things upset and so on? Atmospheric changes? When did it happen?"
"About three weeks ago. Then there's this Sahara business."
"What Sahara business?"