When I started out I didn't see the red gnat. But I saw something else, something that gave me a tremendous shock. What I saw was a great ringed planet swimming in a golden haze!
When I turned my face must have given Pete a jolt. He gulped so hard I was afraid he'd swallow his Adam's apple and choke on the rind.
"What is it, Jim?" he asked huskily. "You look like you'd seen a ghost!"
I laughed without amusement. "I did! A ghost planet! And we're not moving away from it! It's getting larger!"
Pete stared. "Sure you feel okay, son?"
"Not too good!" I said, looking him straight in the eye. "Take another look!"
I gestured toward the viewpane. "Go on! See for yourself!"
Pete stood for a long time with his face pressed to the pane, his shoulders hunched. I thought he was never going to turn.
A crazy thought flashed through my mind. I'd seen men in a state of collapse on their feet, their faces blanched, unable to move or speak. Had Pete been shocked speechless?
I was sweating as he turned. His face was blanched, all right, but he could speak, and did!