Compton rang up Conant and, in a burst of uncharacteristic lyricism, reported, “The Italian navigator has just landed in the new world. The earth was not as large as he had estimated,” Compton continued, “and he arrived at the new world sooner than he had expected.” Conant picked up the reference immediately. “Is that so? And were the natives friendly?” he asked. “Very friendly,” replied Compton. The message had been passed.
