"Most humorous of you, Manning," said Alfie, smiling.
"I'll tell you something funnier than that," said Roger. "I feel the same way he does. Is there anything you can't do, Alfie?"
Alfie thought a moment. "Yes, there is," he said at last.
"What?" demanded Roger.
"I can't—shall I say?—make as much progress as you do with—er—space dolls."
Roger's jaw dropped. "Space dolls! You mean—girls?"
Alfie nodded his head.
"Listen," said Roger, "when we get Junior on his way home, and we get back to the Academy, I promise you I'll show you how to really blast your jets with the space lovelies in Atom City!"
Alfie put out his hand seriously. "And if you do that for me, Roger, I'll show you how to use the new electronic brain they recently acquired at the Academy. Only one other person can operate it. But you definitely have the potential."
Roger stared at him stupidly. "Huh? Yeah. Oh, sure!"