The excitement had done its work on Laura. Her eyes were bright, and her hair was ever-so-slightly mussed, which removed the showcase perfection and made her, to Maynard, a glamorous and wonderful thing. His arm tightened about her waist, and she responded gently. "Like this?" he asked her quietly. Her head nodded against his cheek. Maynard took a deep breath. "You're lovely," he said. Laura caressed his cheek with her forehead. "It's been a wonderful evening," she said. "But I'm getting tired. Let's go home?" Guy lifted his left hand from hers and stroked her hair. "Anything you want," he promised. "You're a grand person," she said. * * * * * The music stopped, and Maynard felt that the spell of the evening stopped with it. They found Alice, Timmy, and Martin at the bar, and Martin called for drinks for them. "A final nightcap," he said, "to a perfect evening." They agreed to his toast. "And now," said Martin practically. "As to getting home." "Yes, indeed. Who lives where?" "We are in Florida," said Timmy. "We can catch us a cab." "The rest of us--at least Guy and I are from Sahara Base," said Laura. "But Guy's flier is in New Jersey." "Shame to make you travel all that way," said Martin. "Should have thought of that when I demanded that we all take my crate. I'm deucedly sorry, Guy." "Forget it," said Maynard with a wave of his hand. "I can do this much for you, though," offered Ingalls. "It's past dawn at Sahara now, and since you folks live by the sun, I can imagine that Laura is about asleep on her feet. Look, Maynard, you're used to a rigorous life; you can take this sort of thing. Laura can't. I live by New York time and am therefore several hours better off than she for sleep. I'll run her across the pond, and you traipse up to New Jersey for that flier of yours. That way Laura will get to bed an hour sooner. What say?" Maynard groped. How could he tell Ingalls that he wanted to take Laura home without sounding like a jealous adolescent? Perhaps he was, but he didn't want to sound childish in front of these people. Ingalls' suggestion was reasonable, from a practical standpoint, but Maynard did not want to be practical. He thought that Laura should have objected; surely she would prefer that he see her home. She _should_ prefer it, according to etiquette. But she did not protest, and Maynard sacrificed his desire for the benefit of practicality. They said good-by, and Laura patted his cheek and made him promise to see her soon. Guy promised, and as she turned away to go with Ingalls, he had a fleeting thought that the pat on the cheek was small solace. Maynard wanted a bit of loving.