"What's the matter now?"
"You changed your mind. You're trying to lie your way out of it."
"I'll call Dr. Flint."
"You'll go out someplace and eat supper, you mean." Off the range came the pot of chicken cacciatore, its delightful contents landed into the garbage disposal unit.
"Ellen!"
But only a stiff back answered him, and presently even that disappeared when a sudden wail from the direction of the nursery summoned it, armed with bottle and burp-rag.
Nicholson met him in the waiting room of his office. "You sure went and put your foot in it," the explorer said.
"When did I do what?"
"Telling the Denebian Ambassador how Qui Dor was snafuing everything and why we couldn't do a thing about it. If they don't take away your explorer's papers too, you're always welcome on my ship, Bryan."