"It's a nice town," Doak said. "A real nice town."
In front a car was stopping on the other side of the road. Someone got out from the door on the far side and the car moved on.
"That would be Martha, I guess," Mrs. Klein said. "She'll want some of that ham, I know. You may as well have a cup of coffee with us anyway."
IV
Doak had some coffee and some rolls and ham. And some talk with both of them in the bright comfortable kitchen. They talked about the ridiculous price of food in the city and how cool the house was after the heat of the day and what was it like on Venus?
Neither of the women had ever been to Venus. Doak told them about the lakes, the virgin timber, the glareless warmth that came from the generative earth.
And about the lack of communication facilities.
"There isn't enough commerce to make any video installations worthwhile," he explained, "and the only information transmission is by amateur radio operators. But nobody seems to miss it. It's got enough vacation facilities without video."
Martha looked at him evenly. "The—Arnold Law applies there, too, doesn't it?"
Doak met her gaze. "Of course." And then, "Why do you ask?"