“I miss waterskiing.” Ann Harrison sounded wistful. “The feel of a pusher unit shoving into the small of your back, the water beating against your feet, the sun…”

Steve pushed himself toward them. “Taboo subject,” he called.

“We're on it anyway,” Jim boomed cheerfully. “Unless you'd rather talk about the alien, which everyone else is doing. I'd rather drop it for the moment. What's your greatest regret at leaving Earth?”

“Only that I didn't stay long enough to really see it.”

“Oh, of course.” Jim suddenly remembered the drinking bulb in his hand. He drank from it, hospitably passed it to Steve.

“This waiting makes me restless,” said Steve. “What are they likely to try next? Shake the ship in Morse code?”

Jim smiled. “Maybe they won't try anything next. They may give up and leave.”

“Oh, I hope not!” said Ann.

“Would that be so bad?”

Steve had a start. What was Jim thinking?

“Of course!” Ann protested. “We've got to find out what they’re like! And think of what they can teach us, Jim!”

When conversation got controversial it was good manners to change the subject. “Say,” said Steve, “I happened to notice the wall was warm when I pushed off. Is that good or bad?”

“That's funny. It should be cold, if anything,” said Jim. “There's nothing out there but starlight. Except—” A most peculiar expression flitted across his face. He drew his feet up and touched the magnetic soles with his fingertips.

“Eeeee! Jim! Jim!”

Steve tried to whirl around and got nowhere. That was Sue! He switched on his shoes, thumped to the floor, and went to help.

Sue was surrounded by bewildered people. They split to let Jim Davis through, and he tried to lead her out of the lounge. He looked frightened. Sue was moaning and thrashing, paying no attention to his efforts.

Steve pushed through to her. “All the metal is heating up,” Davis shouted. “We've got to get her hearing aid out.”