As course followed course, he told them how he had retired from piracy after homesteading Sugar Plum. Alone with his robots, he had dismantled his vessel, using its engines for heating and lighting. He had done a good deal of exploring. The robot served something like lobster, and something like grouse, and a roast which might have been venison. It served vegetables in pink, pear-like clusters and long, golden pods. It served a crisp, succulent salad. Charles picked at his food, watching Betty with growing uneasiness. First, her appetite seemed to improve. Then her eyes started to sparkle, and the severe little corners of her mouth began to relax. Leaning forward intently, she became more and more absorbed in the captain. "--and so here I've been ever since," he said, as he finished his salad, "and Sugar Plum's just about perfect. Of course, it gets lonely at times, but--" Abruptly, Betty's hand darted out, grabbed the captain's beard. "_Beaver!_" she shouted, laughing and pulling. Then she settled back, blushing. "I've wanted to do that for years." Charles reeled. Here was a crisis! He started to rise; hesitated. Of course, he was shocked to the core, but, "Great Scott, she's pretty!" he thought; and at once he felt guilty. He stood up, trying hard to look angry. "Elizabeth," he announced, "you will leave this room--er--instantly." "Why?" giggled Betty. "Because _ladies_ do not pull gentlemen's beards." The captain was holding his sides and rocking with laughter. "Now, now," he protested. "Let her get it out of her system. 'Beaver's' a splendid old custom. It's almost Victorian." Betty dimpled, resting her chin on the backs of her interlaced hands. "Don't pay any attention, Captain Burgee. Charlie's a horrid old fuss-pot. Why shouldn't I yank at your beard? I like you." "Betty, the man is a _pirate_!" "Not any more. He's retired. You heard him say so yourself. Anyhow, I like him. I think he'd make an awfully nice husband for Cousin Aurelia." Charles reached for the water, and drained his glass in a spluttering gulp. "I think so, too," the captain agreed, looking pleased. "I thought so as soon as I saw her. She's exactly my type." He sighed. "But she does seem a little unfriendly. Do you suppose a guitar and some old-fashioned songs at her window might--well, make her want to get better acquainted?" Charles thought, "Not that sour old prune!" Surprised at himself, he swallowed the words just in time. Betty snickered. "Poor Cousin Aurelia! I simply can't get over her staying locked in with nothing but Vegetable Remedy. Why, it tastes just like shoe polish. And it's all because she's scared to death to eat or drink anything here. She believes that Sugar Plum's really an--an uninhibited planet!" She stopped. She stared at the captain. "What's the matter?" "I'm afraid," he said, looking very serious, "that you don't understand. Your Cousin Aurelia is right." Betty wilted. "You can't mean it!"