"Why won't it?" said Jordan. "Remember what happened the last time we got in touch with them." "Not the same people," said Anti. "There were always some, like the doctor, who didn't think we had to be beautiful to talk to us or be near. We'll get more of that kind. They don't _have_ to call unless they want to." "And last time we weren't anybody, less than a thousand and not an important person in the lot. Now we're representatives to the Centauri system." "Profit," said Jordan. "You think they won't be able to afford to show their feelings. I wish I could agree. But even with the gravity drive they can't carry much between here and Earth. In the next fifty years the trade that goes out of here won't make one person rich." "I disagree. Ideas don't weigh much and there'll be lots of those flying back and forth. And was there ever anything more valuable?" Anti smiled. "But there's more. _We_ won't be the same. Only yesterday Cameron said he saw Nona looking worriedly at a book. It won't be long before she gets the idea and wham--new books." "She was never the one who had trouble. Anyway, she'll never speak." "She doesn't have to as long as she can write--and get some idea of what we're saying." "Then she's all right and that will make the doctor happy." Jordan was dubious. "But what of us--Docchi, Jeriann, me--the rest?" Anti leaned back and slid off her sandals, wriggling her toes in voluptuously and looking at them with wondering pleasure. "Me? I don't plan to dance again, but in a year or so I'll get around. The doctor expects Docchi to have arms in the next three or four years if the principle he discovered with Maureen works out. "And even you, Jordan, may be kicking again, though it will take longer. Say four or five years for you." "I'll kick," scoffed Jordan, but his disbelief wasn't as strong as it had been. "Sure you will," said Anti. "It may not be as quick as we expect. Of course if we learn anything from interchange of science with the aliens the time may be shortened. Cameron says they're bound to help us advance, just as we'll aid them. He's cautious though, and doesn't want to figure that in until it actually occurs." "I'll believe it then," said Docchi. "But you didn't mention Jeriann. Or do you consider her already normal?" Anti frowned at her toes and slipped her feet into the sandals. "No, I don't. She seems to be in nearly perfect health. But don't believe everything you see." "Darling," said Jeriann. "When did I have my last capsule? I don't have any with me." "An hour or so ago." "Are you sure? My time sense keeps warning me." "If you think we should let's go and get one." "She knows," said Anti. "I heard the doctor telling her that her case looked easy but wasn't. She'll be the last." "Wait," called Docchi who scarcely heard what Anti was saying. He hurried out into the hall after Jeriann. He was gone a few minutes, and when he came back there was a handprint flaming and furious on his face.