"That," said Capt. Lawler, "is the calking compound."
"You're kidding," said Capt. Wilkins.
"I am not kidding."
Capt. Lawler and Lt. Chandler came inside. Capt. Wilkins mounted a bunk.
"Why didn't you just borrow a cupful?" Major Winship said sarcastically.
"It's this way," Lt. Chandler said. "They didn't have anything but 55-gallon drums of it."
"Oh, my," said Capt. Wilkins. "I suppose it's a steel drum. Those things must weigh...."
"Actually, I think you guys have got the general wrong," Capt. Lawler said. "He was out, himself, to greet us. I think he was really quite upset by the quake. Probably because his people had misfigured so bad."
"He's too damned suspicious," Major Winship said. "You know and I know why they set that blast off. I tried to tell him. Hell. He looks at me like an emasculated owl and wants to know our ulterior motive in trying to prevent a purely scientific experiment, the results of which will be published in the technical press for the good of everybody. I'll bet!"
"About this drum," Capt. Wilkins said.