'Well, said the senator, 'here you are, young man. You told me your name, but I am afraid that it slipped my mind.

'The name is Andrew Blake.

'I'm sorry, said the senator. 'My mind does not seem to have the retentive power that it once commanded. This is my daughter, Elaine, and I am Chandler Horton. No doubt, from the yammering of that fool outside, you gathered that I'm a senator.

'I am honoured, senator, said Blake, 'and, Miss Elaine, very pleased to meet you.

'Blake? said the girl. 'I have heard the name somewhere. Very recently. Tell me, what are you famous for?

'Why, not a thing, said Blake.

'But it was in all the papers. And you were on dimensino — the live, news part of it. Now I know! You are the man who came back from the stars…

'You don't say, said the senator, heaving himself from the chair. 'How very interesting. Mr Blake, that chair over there is very comfortable. Place of honour, you might say. Next to the fire and all.

'Daddy, Elaine said to Blake, 'has a tendency to wax baronial, or maybe country-squirish, when company drops in. You must never mind him.

'The senator, said Blake, 'is a very gracious host.

The senator picked up a decanter and reached for glasses. 'You'll recall, he said, 'that I promised you some brandy.

'And, said Elaine: 'be careful that you praise it. Even if it gags you. The senator prides himself as a judge of brandy. And if, a little later, you would like some coffee, we can have that, too. I punched the autochef…

'The chef act up again? asked the senator.

Elaine shook her head. 'Not especially. Got the coffee, just the way I asked — plus fried eggs and bacon.

She looked at Blake. 'Want some eggs and bacon? I think they are still warm.

He shook his head. 'No, thank you very much.

'The contraption, said the senator, 'has been on the fritz for years. One spell, no matter what you dialled, it served up roast beef, rare.