After nearly four years of total isolation he was so pleased and relieved to see Ford that he could almost cry. Ford was, on the other hand, an almost immediately annoying person.

More from Life, the Universe and Everything

• A glummer look replaced the already glum look on Arthur Dent’s face. “So we’re not home and dry,” he said. “We could not even be said,” replied Ford, “to be home and vigorously toweling ourselves off.”
• A magician wandered along the beach, but no one needed him.
• Arthur had adopted his normal crisis role, which was to stand with his mouth hanging open and let it all wash over him.
• Arthur lay in startled stillness on the acceleration couch. He wasn't certain whether he had just got space-sickness or religion.
• Arthur's consciousness approached his body as from a great distance, and reluctantly. It had had some bad times in there. Slowly, nervously, it entered and settled down in to its accustomed position.
• A tall figure appeared silhouetted in the hatchway. It walked down the ramp and stood in front of Arthur. “You’re a jerk, Dent,” it said simply.