A third girl stuck her head out of the dining room door. "So there you
are. Dinner's growing cold. Hurry up."
From upstairs a woman's voice called, "Is that Matt? It's about time.
We'll miss the show if we don't hurry."
Another feminine voice said from upstairs, "It's a new film Hi Nesbit
found in Louisville too."
"Come on," said Matt, "let's eat."
He ate silently, while his seven wives chattered lightly. After all,
he reflected, he was better off than Nesbit. The palaeontologist had
thirteen.
In the next generation, there would be a more even distribution of men
and women. Not, he reflected, that it would do him any good!
"Matt," said Lynn, "you won't have time to smoke."
"No," Margot chimed in, "you've barely time to dress."
He lit his cigarette deliberately.
"Matt!" Lynn's voice was frosty.
Matt's jaw set.
"Don't be pig-headed, dear," said the blonde at the foot of the table.
Matt's blue eyes narrowed.
"Get the hell out of here!" he roared suddenly. "All of you! And leave
me to finish my smoke in peace!"