“Sure. They got it angry. Why did they take it from Mars?”

There was no possible answer that I could give. It as the simple truth. No one had certainly ever asked the lizard when they removed it from Mars. And on the way back to Earth the lizard had eaten the ship’s pet dog, making all of the space men very angry.

“Well, what can you tell me about the apparition?” I asked to change the subject. “What’s it like.”

“He only walks when it becomes real dark.”

“Well, that’s to be expected. From time immemorial. It’s recounted in all of the fairy tales. Colin’s grandmother….”

“Colin’s grandmother just wants to tell me the history of genetics. How they persecuted Mendel…”

“Yes, and by the way, does your apparition react to the cry of a cock?”

“He doesn’t. Why do you ask?”

“You see, a real apparition finds it useful to vanish from sight with terrible curses when a cock crows at dawn.”

“I’ll ask him tonight about the cock.”

“Fine.”

“And I have to go to bed later tonight. I have to speak to the apparition.”

“As you will.” Alas, our joking had come to an end. At long last the robot removed the frozen suppers from the microwave, beaming with pride in accomplishment.

Alice started to eat and I went back to my notes on the National Parks of Guinea. There was a very interesting article on Sirian Wickers. A revolution in zoology. They had been able to breed Wickers in captivity. The offspring were born dark green, despite the shells of both parents having been blue.

It grew dark outside the windows. Alice said,

“Well, I’ll be off?”

“And where are you going?”

“To the apparition. I promised.”

“And here I was thinking that you were joking. Well, if you really have to go out into the garden, then go, only put on a jacket because it’s become cold. And don’t go any further than the apple tree.”