"Going to bed early?" Elbert Avery was politely apologetic.
"No."
"Changing, then. It doesn't matter. Captain Daneshaw is having me ask around to find out how you people enjoyed the party last night. Did you have a good time?"
"A good time?" The man didn't seem to comprehend a simple question.
"That's it. Gayety, good time, fun, prizes and all, and sugar and cream in the coffee. Did you like it?"
"Didn't go." His gaze never left the floor, though it had moved to one side to avoid Avery's feet.
"Any particular reason? Program sound dull? Were you tired?"
"I guess so."
"You're probably working too hard. I just came from Westcott's room. He and a couple of other fellows are going it fast and furious on problems in architecture—as if they were trying to make their first billion the hard way. Relax, man. The United Assembly didn't mean us to work ourselves to death."
"What did they mean us to do?" Wyckoff asked with the first sign of interest.