"Hello, Haireee. Are you glad little ol' me could come, huh?"
"Sure am."
"Me, too. Can I look at the--oh. It's already on."
"Uh-huh. Look. Wanda."
"Hum?"
"I talked to Nestir today."
"Goody. What did he say, huh? I can be an adult and get to play in the
Festival, can I?"
"I don't know, yet. He's thinking about it. That's why I want to see
you. He's going to check your record. And Wanda?"
"Them stars shore are purty."
"Wanda, listen to me."
"I'm a-listenin', Haireee."
"You're simply going to have to stop carrying that doll around with you
if you want to be an adult."
* * * * *
In Nestir's cabin the next morning, the captain and the priest held a
conference.
"No, Captain. I'm afraid I can't agree to that," Nestir said.
The captain said, "Oh, don't be unreasonable, Father. After all, this
is a ship, y'know. And I am, after all, the captain."
Nestir shook his head. "The crew and the officers will participate
together in the Festival. I will not put the officers' corridor off
limits, and--Oh! Yes? Come in!"