"A fair amount. A spaceman begins to think in large figures so much
that he wonders how he can get along on a more humanly reasonable
amount. To clear a reasonable standard of living, a rather staggering
amount of money comes in one hand and goes out the other. Operating
expenses are high, but so are charges."
"But do you land on Mercury often, Mr. Farradyne?"
Farradyne smiled. "Perhaps less frequently in the past than in the
future."
"Now, that's sheer flattery," laughed Carolyn.
"Better enjoy it," observed her father with a chuckle. "Charles, you
are welcome here any time you land."
"Thank you," smiled Farradyne. "But all things considered, I should
think that you'd take a dim view of any man that brought your daughter
home wearing a gardenia."
"Gardenia--oh. You mean that it might be--" Mr. Niles laughed. "I think
that Carolyn has enough judgement to take up with the right kind of
young man, Charles."
"Of course," said Mrs. Niles. "Robert and Michael wouldn't stay friends
with the wrong kind."
"So, you see?" laughed Mr. Niles.
"By the way," asked Mrs. Niles, "how is Michael?"
"Quite well, the last time I saw him," said Farradyne, knowing that
this was the right thing to say at any time.
"You're sure?"
"Of course."
"I'm very happy to hear it," said Mrs. Niles. "We knew he was with you,
but we didn't know how long he stayed."
Farradyne gulped imperceptibly, and hoped that they did not notice.
"You did? Then he must have mentioned me."
"Oh, he did. Tell me, Charles, what happened to Michael?"
"Did something happen to him?"
Mr. Niles eyed Farradyne rather pointedly. "Mike took off with you from
Mars. He did not land at Denver, Mr. Farradyne. So what happened to
Mike Cahill?"
Farradyne gulped, and this time it was a full-throated gulp that left
him with his Adam's Apple high in his throat. Carolyn cooed, "Yes,
Charles, what happened to Michael Cahill?"