we don’t stand a whelk’s chance in a supernova.” “A what?” said Arthur sharply again. He had been following the conversation doggedly up to this point, and was keen not to lose the thread now. “A whelk’s chance in a supernova,” repeated Ford without losing momentum, “the…” “What’s a whelk got to do with a supernova?” said Arthur. “It doesn’t,” said Ford levelly, “stand a chance in one.”
