"Harrumph!" said Mr. Fader. His eyes traveled over Qalith from spangled boots to gleaming tiara.
"Oh, Mr. Fader," said Homer thickly.
"I must have arrived more quickly than you anticipated," said Fader. He stepped forward and nudged Homer. "You sly young dog."
"It's not what you think, C. J.," said Homer.
"I haven't said a word about what I thought," said Fader. "What I want to know is where you found her."
"I didn't—"
"I'm from another planet," said Qalith.
"I'll say you are, baby," said Fader, chucking her under the chin. "You know, Homer here had me fooled. But I can see he's not as namby pamby as I thought. Yes, sir! He's quite a boy."
"He's been explaining all of the manners and customs of the earth to me," said Qalith.
"And I'll bet he knows how!" said Fader.