He started to speak, and stopped.
He started to speak again and stopped again.
Finally he managed to speak.
“Er,” he said. He cleared his throat.
“Tell me,” he continued, and said it so nervously that the others all turned to stare at him. He glanced at the approaching yellow blob on the vision screen.
“Tell me,” he said again, “did the computer say what was occupying it? I just ask out of interest…”
Their eyes were riveted on him.
“And, er… well that’s it really, just asking.”
Zaphod put out a hand and held Arthur by the scruff of the neck.
“What have you done to it, Monkeyman?” he breathed.
“Well,” said Arthur, “nothing in fact. It’s just that I think a short while ago it was trying to work out how to…”
“Yes?”