Then came the end of what was apparently the work day.
"We're making splendid progress," Barnes told him. "I know how tiresome it is to keep saying the same thing over and over, but the distance is such a great obstacle. I think it's amazing that we can even bridge it, don't you? Just imagine—the light that's reaching Earth at this very minute left our star when mammoths were roaming your western states and mankind lived in caves! And yet, with our thought-wave boosters, we are in instantaneous communication!"
The soap, Clocker thought, to make him feel he was doing something important.
"Well, you are doing something important," Barnes said, as though Clocker had spoken.
Clocker would have turned red if he had been able to. As it was, he felt dismay and embarrassment.
"Do you realize the size and value of this project?" Barnes went on. "We have a more detailed record of human society than Man himself ever had! There will be not even the most insignificant corner of your civilization left unrecorded! Your life, my life—the life of this Zelda whom you came here to rescue—all are trivial, for we must die eventually, but the project will last eternally!"
Clocker stood up, his eyes hard and worried. "You're telling me you know what I'm here for?"
"To secure the return of your wife. I would naturally be aware that you had submitted yourself to our control voluntarily. It was in your file, which was sent to me by Admissions."
"Then why did you let me in?"
"Because, my dear friend—"