"So I suggest that we all have a quick one on Walt Franks wishing him health and happiness for the rest of his life with Christine nee Baler, even though the big bum did cheat us out of the privilege of kissing his bride.
"And now, I'm going to step aside and let Santa Claus take over."
There was a thunderous roar of applause, and Channing rejoined Arden and the rest of them, who had sort of gravitated together.
"Merry Christmas," he grinned at them.
Keg Johnson nodded. "Merry Christmas—and on to Terra for your Happy New Year!"
They raised their glasses, and it was Wes Farrell who said: "To Walt—and may he be as happy as we are!"
Arden chuckled. "We used to sing a song about 'Walt's Faults' but there's one thing, Walt would have replaced that fuse even though we didn't need it. The old string-saver!"
A messenger came up and tapped Don on the shoulder. Channing turned with an apologetic smile to his guests and said: "I get more damned interruptions. They tell me that someone is knocking on the spacelock door. If anyone here knows any prayers, let 'em make with a short one. Pray this—whoever it is—knows something about Walt."
Don left the party and went along the cold, snow-filled corridor to his office. As one of the few remaining places where operations were in full tilt, Channing's office was where any visitor would be conducted. Once the business was finished, Channing could hurl the guest into the middle of the big party, but the party was no place to try to conduct business in the first place.
So with heels on desk, a glass of Scotch from his favorite file drawer, Don Channing idled and waited for the visitor.