The Industrialist said, quickly, "Now you boys have done enough harm
today. March! Into the house! And not a word; not one word! I'm not
interested in anything you have to say. After this is all over, I'll
hear you out and as for you, Red, I'll see that you're properly
punished."
He turned to his wife. "Now whatever the animals are, we'll have them
killed." He added quietly once the youngsters were out of hearing,
"Come, come. The children aren't hurt and, after all, they haven't done
anything really terrible. They've just found a new pet."
The Astronomer spoke with difficulty. "Pardon me, ma'am, but can you
describe these animals?"
She shook her head. She was quite beyond words.
"Can you just tell me if they--"
"I'm sorry," said the Industrialist, apologetically, "but I think I had
better take care of her. Will you excuse me?"
"A moment. Please. One moment. She said she had never seen such animals
before. Surely it is not usual to find animals that are completely
unique on an estate such as this."
"I'm sorry. Let's not discuss that now."
"Except that unique animals might have landed during the night."