She did not question his word. She cut the transmitter. She even
crossed the room and stepped up the room controls until a small breeze
flitted across the floor and drove the smells up to the ceiling.
He rose, tired and stiff. (His instruments were normal, except that
Heart was fast and Nerves still hanging on the edge of _Danger_.) He
spoke sadly:
"Forgive me, Luci. I suppose I shouldn't have cranched. Not so soon
again. But darling, I have to get out from being a haberman. How can
I ever be near you? How can I be a man--not hearing my own voice, not
even feeling my own life as it goes through my veins? I love you,
darling. Can't I ever be near you?"