I don't own Hitchhicker's Guide to the Galaxy.
Tea Equals
The truth was, Arthur could live without that hot drink of boiled leaves. That part was easy, he had it down. Earth was gone and so was his usually morning drink. He was over it, done with it, didn't need it anymore.
Of course, with Authur going around muttering about his need for tea, no one knew that, but obviously the were missing something.
And that something is:
Tea does not equal a hot drink of boiled leaves.
Tea equals home.
And Arthur so desperately wanted a home, more than anything else. the Heart of Gold did suffice. Of course, anyone he told this to would make the wrong assumption.
Here's the thing:
Home does not equal Earth. Arthur wasn't like Trillian, he wasn't constantly searching for a home that couldn't be found. Earth was gone and it upset him, but Earth wasn't home, not really.
Arthur knows where home is. Home is just around the corner.
He knows who tea equals. He's just around the corner.
"Hey Ford."
"Hi Arthur. What's up?"
"I want tea."