`` congratulations , uncle , '' he said with a stiff nod . he pulled a wallet from his pocket and slid a business card from it . come on , get in the car . holding off the urge until i was dizzy inside and my throat swelled up like an elephants nut sack . the trips were a recent innovation - a treat for the human students . he turned around and looked at me , shaken , and caught off guard . the captain said for a third time . joe examined the nails , studied the mortar . 