Arin held the door, inviting everyone in. The interior looked like an ordinary household. They were in a carpeted room with several chairs and a long table, a fireplace, and a half dozen electric lamps, two of which were lit. A staircase set against one wall rose to the upper level and a balcony. One wall held two shelves of books and a clock. The clock had two hands, one large and one small, and sixteen numbers. At least Hutch assumed that was what the symbols on its face were.

“Maybe there’s only one way to make a clock,” said Ken.

And they got a surprise: A dark wooden side table held a telephone. Which explained how some of the residents seemed to know so quickly about their arrival. The phone was twentieth-century style, pink rather than black like the ones in the movies. The handset was longer, but the speaker and earpiece were similar. Instead of a dial there were push buttons. It was plugged into a socket. Across the room Hutch saw another electrical device. She went over to look more closely and was joined by Arin, who seemed amused at her curiosity. Although, to tell the truth, the islanders consistently looked amused. She’d gotten a sense they thought that, despite their lander, their visitors weren’t very bright. She lifted the handset and listened. It tinkled. “If they have this,” Ken said, “they should have radio.”

“Apparently not,” said Hutch. “We heard nothing coming in.”

“I guess.” Ken took the phone from Hutch and studied it. “This would be worth a fortune at home.”

“You know it’s not a real antique,” said Beth.

“Of course it isn’t, but it’s a telephone built on an alien world.” He looked around at the others. “You think we could buy it from them and take it back with us?”

“Maybe,” said Derek, “we should concentrate on finding a way to get ourselves home first.”

Arin indicated he wanted a word with Derek. They walked over close to the clock. He pointed at it and then looked at Derek as if waiting for an answer.

Derek needed a minute, but he decided he was being asked whether there was a time problem. Did they have to connect quickly with whatever was in the sky? He looked at Arin and nodded. Yes.

•  •  •

Arin showed them the kitchen, which had a sink and faucet, cabinets and drawers, an electric range, some cooking utensils, and a large silver metal case that was probably a refrigerator. One of the drawers held knives, scoops, and two-pronged forks.

The refrigerator had food in bowls and containers. And a bottle of dark liquid. Arin indicated they should feel free to help themselves.