"I am not afraid," she said.
"We might not get hungry for a time. Let us linger here awhile. Later
when we get desperate, there will be time enough for interplanetary
flight." I hated the thought of stuffing myself full of air enough to
last for the long trip.
Mjly lowered her visual buds. "I am going to become a mother," she said.
"Go then, and become a mother. I'll stay here till I get hungry and then
join you."
Mjly unflexed her sense of touch and I felt sorry for her. "If I could
be sure," I said, "that no wild animals live on the earth, I'd go
sooner."
She snapped her sense of balance in happiness. "I will go first," said
she. "If everything is pleasant and safe, I will return and let you
know."