"Each of you would like one of our daughters to stay with you during
your visit here?"
Captain Torkel gulped. There was a movement among the women as of wind
stirring through tall grass. The tall, lissome bodies stepped closer to
the Earthmen.
"I, er--"
"I think we would," said Fox, nodding eagerly.
"Then each of you may pick a companion," said Taaleeb. "Perhaps you
would like to select two for your friends who did not come to our
village."
Captain Torkel rose, swallowing hard. He bowed shakily to the girl
nearest him. "Would you--"
The girl smiled and stepped to his side.
Lieutenant Washington wiped perspiration from his bald head. He
pointed. "I'll take you," he said thickly. "And you two for Garcia and
Van Gundy."
"Garcia and Van Gundy may not want companions," said Captain Torkel.
"Don't be silly."
Eyes shining, Fox selected a tall, lean-faced girl. Then he pulled
Kelly forward. "Kelly, pick yourself out a companion."
Kelly belched.
"Pick out one of the girls, you idiot. Which one do you want?"
Kelly stared glassily at the waiting, watching figures.
"All."
"No, Kelly, you can't have them all. Just one. Pick out one. No, I'll
pick one out for you." Fox nodded at one of the girls. She laughed and
came to Kelly.
Captain Torkel downed the rest of his wine. "Now we'll return to the
rocket with our companions."
* * * * *
Taaleeb cocked his head, widening his omnipresent smile. "But your
companions must wash and scent themselves and select the proper
clothing. They must make themselves ready. You will return here tonight
as the sun falls into the forest."
"Oh," said Captain Torkel, slumping. Then he shrugged. "We'll see you
tonight then."
His gaze turned to Fox. His mouth tightened.
"Fox," he said sternly.
"Hummm?"
"Put it back."
Fox's brows lifted innocently.
"Put back the cup. Take it out of your pocket."
Pouting like a disappointed child, Fox placed the stolen cup on the
ground.
"The bowl, too."
Fox's lips formed a silent curse. He put down the bowl that he'd hidden
under his armpit.
Taaleeb stepped forward. "No, this must not be. Your friend must keep
the cup and the bowl. Keep, please." He placed the objects in Fox's
hands. "There are our gifts to our friends." His eyes twinkled slyly.
"I say just one more thing," he went on, his suggestive gaze wandering
over the faces of the Earthmen. "It is such a pity that you think of
leaving us. If you would stay with us always, you would be not only
as friends to us, but also as gods. You would, if you wished, have
a different companion every night. Your stomachs would have all the
wine and food they could hold. We would build you a most big and most
pretty house. Your friend--" he nodded at Fox--"your friend could take
whatever his fingers desired. Your other friend--your thoughts call him
Garcia--could break whatever he wanted. Your other friend, whose name
I see as Van Gundy, would never have to be afraid again. Will you tell
these promises to your Garcia and your Van Gundy?"
"We'll tell them," said Fox, quickly.
V
They waved good-by and started down the forest trail.
They began to sing the first song that popped into their heads:
Glory, glory, Hallelujah,
Glory, glory, Hallelujah,
Glory, glory, Hallelujah,
His truth is marching on.
The glowing effect of the wine remained with them. Many times they
paused to nibble at the forest fruit and to throw themselves onto the
soft cushions of fern.
"It's a wonderful planet," declared Captain Torkel.
"Best in the universe," said Fox.
"All," mumbled Kelly.
"And it's a long way home," said Lieutenant Washington suggestively,
with a hiccough.
"A long, long way," commented Fox.