He told her. Incoherently, but swiftly, holding her tightly all the while. From the first of Hamilton's words to the last. And finished with, "I've wanted you so badly, and you seemed so distant. I know there's no excusing me, but I want you to understand, to know how much I--" He was silent, spent, weak as water. She stroked his hair. She said, "Wanting me isn't enough, wasn't enough. Can't you see that, dearest? A woman must be needed, not wanted. Darling, everything's going to be all right, now." "Ann, I haven't the right to ask. But--did I bring you back from--I mean, were you on Venus?" She put a soft hand on his lips. "Sweetheart, what a horrible question. I'm your Ann, remember? I'm your darling. And nobody else is going to come between us. This will be our room, tonight, and all the nights." * * * * * _The now embodied assembly met above the stream they could hear, in the glade they could see._ _Ha said, "I've a request from Earthians, that Truesdale pair."_ _"Request?" Peak said._ _"They'd like to spend the weekend, here, all their weekends. He works the rest of the week, but--"_ _"Earthians, here?" Peak interrupted. "I'll be darned if--"_ _Ha said, "Remember, if it wasn't for them, we'd still be disembodied. I think this is a voting matter, Peak."_ _"Them? Him, you mean."_ _"Oh, no," Ha corrected. "She was here, too, that final night. Twice, as a matter of fact. The last time with her husband. I say they're fine people, and I'd be proud to welcome them."_ _And it was so voted._