Return From Space And Time II

A cosmic excursion is complete when there is a return to the ordinary. Again we can compare Poul Anderson's "Flight to Forever" with CS Lewis's Out Of The Silent Planet, quoting the latter from memory.

Saunders enters MacPherson's house, smiles at Eve and MacPherson and says:

"'Hello...I guess I must be a little early.'" (p. 288)

- having traveled all the way around time.

Ransom enters a, to him, familiar-looking building in the English countryside and says:

"'A pint of bitter, please...'"

- having spent several months on the planet, Mars.

In both cases, lessons have been learned and the adventure is complete although Ransom, unlike Saunders, has a sequel...