"Yes, it is a good trick, but before we talk, I should like to show you one more."
He dropped his hand on Chris's shoulder and somehow the firm touch was wonderfully comforting to the boy.
"You want to be at home, do you not, Christopher?" Mr. Wicker asked.
"Yes sir. Please."
"Well, that cannot be for a time," Mr. Wicker replied, "for you have important work to do."
Mr. Wicker turned and walked back to the two leather chairs with his hand still on Chris's shoulder. He stopped near the table and looked down.
"I know that all this—" he waved a hand to take in not only the room but, Chris thought, the different time as well, "—all this seems impossible to understand." He paused, pondering. "Perhaps we had better sit down and I will try to make it understandable."
"Let me put it this way," Mr. Wicker began when they were seated once more in their chairs before the fire. "You have a television set at home?"
"Oh yes!" Chris agreed enthusiastically, "And say! Some of the programs—"
"Yes, they are splendid, I know," Mr. Wicker broke in. "But will you please explain to me how television works?"