As always, the Earth called for Clark's attention at the most inopportune time. Far below the range of human hearing, the low-pitched rumblings of an earthquake were unmistakable. He turned in desperation to Mrs. Claus. "I have to go. In my absence, Lois is in charge; she has full authority to act on my behalf."
"I'd better not get a beard, buster…" he heard Lois mutter as he left the North Pole behind.
