"Maybe there will be things I won't recognize," said Caroline. "Things that will be so different.”
"I'll show you the Earth," said Gary. "I'll set you straight on everything.”
"What bothers me," declared Kingsley, "are those people from the other universe. It's just like letting undesirable elements come in under our immigration schedule on Earth. You can't tell what sort of people they are.
They might be life forms that are inimical to us.”
"Or," suggested Caroline, "they might be possessors of great scientific accomplishments and a higher culture. They might add much to this universe.”
"There isn't much danger from them," said Gary. "The Engineers are taking care of them. They're keeping them cooped up in the hypersphere they used to cross interspace until suitable places for their settlement can be found. The Engineers will keep an eye on them.”
Metallic feet grated on the floor and Engineer 1824 came across the room toward the table.
He stopped before the table and folded his arms across his chest.
"Everything is all right?" he asked. "The food is good and you are comfortable.”
"I'll say we are," said Herb.