"I am not going to stop talking about technical matters," said Irina firmly. Atta girl, thought Dugan, keep it up! She went right on, "And my father's life and mine are in danger over what you call technical matters, and if you say you love me, you might at least make an effort to understand the technical matters which are important to the woman you say you love, even though you don't act much like it."
Helpless, outraged, male, and inarticulate, Aleksandr tried to splutter a protest. But Irina went right on, following a fine note of irony which made Dugan throw a kiss down on top of her head:
"If the new extra-expert high-grade engineer does turn on the valve over Number Eighteen, what do you think will happen?"
"I don't know," said Aleksandr wearily and pacifically. Do tell us, Irina, thought Dugan. He grinned on his perch. Do tell us, dear girl! Do!
She did:
"The radioactive waste will all pour into the big septic tanks, won't it?"
"Yes," said Aleksandr.
What then? thought Dugan.
"And do you think that septic tanks will settle the problem of radioactive waste?"
Of course not! thought Dugan, enjoying his role of a silent third. What will?