“Yours, Sally,” said Sheldon, alluding to the hobbies, “will ripen, mature, fade and decay in the glorious rays of satiety, but when the inevitable mellowness does occur, for Heaven’s sake, my dear boy, kill the pest, don’t develop into a plague!” Sheldon actually believed himself witty, original, but remembering he’d been up all night and crabbed I smiled, blandly thanking him for his advice and reminded him that no matter how severe a case I developed it wouldn’t be catching. He seemed willing to drop the subject, but Saunders, evidently annoyed at my calmness, testily sputtered: “Oh, fiddle! Salucci, you waste your time; love is a pastime, an inclination; turn your attention to more profitable pursuits. We will never visit this portion of the world again. Women, love, oh bosh!” Saunders made me thoroughly angry. I sprang up, bouncing with fury. “Gently, gently,” murmured Saxe., laying a restraining hand upon me. Then as though it were a subject we had been discussing right along, he proceeded to give out his plans for the future. Sheldon snickered, and Saunders’s eyes twinkled, though his face retained its long, thoughtful expression. “A committee representing the government,” continued Saxe., placidly, “called upon me, armed with a request several yards long, signed by the most influential citizens of Centur, ahem! including the old boy himself. I was assured that by presenting this country with a duplicate of the lost _Propellier_ I would confer a great and lasting benefit to this portion of the world; also it was gently hinted that the accompanying coaches fitted up as we had them would more than ... etc., etc., etc. But the people feared to impose—and unlimited material would be supplied for construction. A house will be placed at my disposal where I can enjoy the utmost seclusion. I accepted. _Propellier No. 1_ was crude, full of defects. The new machine will present startling improvements. Look me up sometimes, Virgillius, don’t allow the amorous pursuit to crowd out inventive qualities. And, I say, boys, it seems we’re settled in this land of Centauri for a good long time.” “It looks that way,” Sheldon agreed; “but we mustn’t stay over the limit. I shouldn’t relish being marooned in the ice regions.” “We’re not beggars for time,” I told him. “Allowing twenty months for the return trip, we still have three years to our credit.” Saxe. reminded me that three years passed swiftly; then informed me he understood I was to remain at the palace the honored guest of Love, which had made me famous throughout Centauri. “You’re the hero of the band,” he bubbled; “these people have forgotten all about the ‘grande passion’ themselves and naturally believed the universe exempt. They regard you as a TYPE, rare, valuable. The Dailies give amazing suggestions on the subject and gravely advise the organization of a new sect with Love for its theme, and you the standard bearer; ahem! good scheme. Read any of the papers yet?”