"But--will you come back sometime?"
"Certainly. With the success of her-our mission, we hope the factions
back home will unite in a policy of further interchange. We and others
of our family will come. Soon, we hope. It could even prove possible
to find a way of converting you to our own form, so that later you may
return with us."
"But look--"
But that was it. A few more words and, "Goodby, father," they said,
putting a reasonable amount of regret into it--even though I know
damned well they were itching to get going. "And do take care of
yourself."
They were gone. I was alone. No big, lush and lovely wife; no
button-cute little brunette wife; no gay, lively, companionable, loving
Titian-haired wife. No wife at all.