For their father had been waking up several times every day, their mother reported. True, he had only been conscious for short periods, and was still too weak to be bothered with any of their problems. But, she told the boys, he was able to eat something each time he awoke, and his mind was clear again. She was preparing easily eaten and digested foods that would bring back his strength quickly. Jak asked anxiously whether his father had mentioned how the leg felt, and Mrs. Carver told him, "He says it doesn't pain any, although sometimes it itches beneath the cast." Later on, just as they finished eating, Jak suggested, "Take your tackle along tomorrow, Chubby, and we'll chop where the woods meet the river." "Why, t'anks, pal, you're a good kid." Jon made a fake pass at his brother, who jumped up from the table and yanked the other's chair backward, starting a small scuffle which their mother wisely did not try to stop, knowing that, tired as they were, it would last only a few seconds and would be good for them. * * * * * When the boys returned from their expedition the next night, with arms and backs loaded with bundles of stakes, and Jon's creel well-filled with Two's fish-things, she met them anxiously at the lockdoor. "Did you boys hear or see the ship that passed over us this morning?" "Ship?" "No, we didn't see nor hear a thing. Sure it was a ship?" "No, I didn't see it, either. I thought I heard one, and ran to look out, but couldn't locate anything. Maybe it was just my imagination." "Spaceship or airship?" Jon asked. "I couldn't tell you that, either, except that if I did really hear one, it must have been a spaceship to disappear so quickly." "Unless it was a fast jet--they're just as hard to spot." They discussed the affair for some time, but could come to no conclusions. If it was a ship, why hadn't it stopped or signalled? And if it wasn't one, what had she heard? Or had she actually heard anything? Two evenings later the two boys had completed outlining their city site, and were just climbing into the _Star Rover_ when they heard their mother's voice. "That you, boys? Come in here. Hurry!" At the urgency in her voice, they ran quickly and found her sitting at the side of their father's bunk. As they got closer they saw his head turn toward them, and recognition in the wide-open eyes. "Hello, fellows!" His voice was weak but happy. "Father!" "Oh, Pop, you're awake at last!" The two almost fought to be closest to him, but their mother moved a little and both sank to their haunches beside the bunk, each with one of their father's somewhat emaciated hands in theirs. "Your mother tells me I've been sick quite a long time, and that you chaps have been carrying on. I'm grateful, and proud." "You should see the way Mom has caught on to doing things," Jon said quickly. "She does almost all our photographing now." "And Jon has developed into a real astrogator," Jak said.