"Well, hell with them!"
"While we're on that subject, ain't that my trouble lamp you're holding?"
"Yeah. Guess it is. Need it right away?"
"Just want you to remember where it came from."
"Actually, it'll be no use on the trip. I got her fixed so when I take off, the cord down at the base will come unplugged and—"
"Well, Polly must be ready by now." Orville gave up. Polly was right. Harold was insane.
Orville tried to turn on the ladder so that he could climb back down. His foot slipped. He spread his arms to keep from falling through the hole and knocked over the pile of bread.
"Watch out!" Harold yelped.
"I'm all right." Orville felt a slight tingle.
"Yes, but you—" Harold's voice trailed off with dismay. The light in his hand had gone out, but Orville didn't think of what this meant at the time.