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“But I’ll have to get back to Earth to patent it! And I haven’t got the money to pay one fare, let alone two!”

“Two?” asked Cathy hopefully. “Why two?”

“You’re going to marry me, aren’t you?” he demanded. “I sort of hope that was all settled.”

Cathy stamped her foot.

“Hadn’t you heard,” she asked indignantly, “that such things aren’t taken for granted? Especially when two people are walking in the starlight and are supposed to be thrilled? It isn’t settled—not until after you’ve kissed me, anyhow!”

He remedied his error.

Out on the ninth planet, very far away, Nodalictha blushed slightly. As a bride, she was in that deliciously embarrassing state of becoming accustomed to discussions which would previously have been unconventional.

“They are so quaint!” Then she hesitated and said awkwardly, “The idea of putting their—their lips together as a sign of affection—”

Rhadampsicus was amused, as a bridegroom may be by the delightful innocences of a new wife. He evinced his amusement in a manner no human being could conceivably have recognized as the tender laugh it was.