"Right. She was going on pure nerve at the last--nothing else ... but she did a job, and she's so sweet and fine.... I wonder, Clee, if ... if I've been missing the boat...." "You have not." Garlock sent the thought so solidly that Belle jumped. "If you'd just let yourself be, you'd be worth a million of her, just as you stand." "Yes? You lie in your teeth, Cleander, but I love it.... Oh, I don't know what I want to eat--if anything." "I'll think up yours, too, along with mine." "Please. Something light, and just a little." "Yeah. Sit down. Just a light snack--a two-pound steak, rare; a bowl of mushrooms fried in butter; French fries, french dips, salad, and a quart of coffee. The same for me, except more of each. Here we are." "Why, Clee, I couldn't _possibly_ eat half of that...." Then, after a quarter of it was gone, "I _am_ hungry, at that--simply ravenous. I could eat a horse and saddle, and chase the rider." "That's what I thought. I knew I could, and figured you accordingly." * * * They ate those tremendous meals slowly, enjoying every bite and sip; in an atmosphere of friendliness and good fellowship; chatting on a wide variety of subjects as they ate. Neither was aware of the fact that this was the first time they had ever been on _really_ friendly terms. And finally every dish and container was empty, almost polished clean. "One hundred percent capacity--can chew but can't swallow," Garlock said then, lighting two cigarettes and giving Belle one. "How's that for a masterly job of calibration?" "Me, too. It'll pass." Belle sighed in repletion. "Your ability to estimate the exact capacity of containers is exceeded only by your good looks and by the size of your feet. And now to hit the good old sack for an indefinite but very long period of time." "You chirped it, birdie." Still eminently friendly, the two walked together to their doors. Belle put up a solid block and paused, irresolute, twisting the toe of one slipper into the carpet. "Clee, I ... I wonder ... if...." Her voice died away. "I know what you mean." He put his arms around her gently, tenderly, and looked deep into her eyes. "I want to tell you something, Belle. You're a woman, not in seven thousand million women, but in that many planets full of women. What it takes, you very definitely and very abundantly have got. And you aren't the only one that's pooped. I don't need company tonight, either. I'm going to sleep until I wake up, if it takes all day. Or say, if you wake up first, why not punch me and we'll have breakfast together?" "That's a thought. Do the same for me. Good night, Clee." "Good night, ace." He kissed her, as gently as he had been holding her, opened her door, closed it after her, and stepped across the corridor into his own room.