"Do you suppose it would be all right if I just...." "You know the rules," Nestir said sternly. "That's what I was afraid you'd say," said the captain. He looked up at the ceiling; his face was placid. He reached up with his right hand and began to scratch his chin. He scratched his chin for a long time, scarcely breathing. The officers and their wives were silent, waiting for him to speak. * * * * * "I believe I'll have another cup of coffee," he said at last. "Yes, sir," said the steward, snapping his fingers for the waiter. Martha said: "You should have asked earlier." "I know," the captain said. "Father, I really don't see why I have to Change Wives." "But Harry will have yours that day. And you know the rules." "There are a lot of good-looking women in the crew," the steward said. "Quite a number," said the captain. He arose from the table and steadied himself a moment. "Never mind the coffee," he said. "I shouldn't drink over one cup for breakfast. I believe it aggravates my scrofula." He turned, and walked out of the mess hall. He walked very straight and tall. He walked down the crew's corridor toward their quarters. Shortly he saw a woman coming out of one of the cabins. "Madam," he said. She came over to him. "Yes, sir?" "Madam," he said, "Madam, I...." "Would ja like to have a drink of water? It's right down this way, an' then ya turn ta the left." "No ... uh. I.... Madam, would you honor me by becoming my partner for the night of the Changing of the Wives?" She balanced on the balls of her feet and looked up at him. "Yur th' captain, ain'tcha?" "Yes," he said. "I am." "Sure, I'll do hit," she said. "I'd be mighty proud ta." The captain turned away and then turned back. "Madam," he said, "what is your name?" "Joanne Marie. Jest ask for me. Everybody down here knows me." "Joanne Marie, Joanne Marie," he repeated under his breath. He shuddered and turned to go. VI The day of the Changing of the Wives came to the ship. It was a very important ritualistic day, held, always, three weeks and one day before the Festival of the Casting Off. The morning of the day, Nestir spoke to the assembled complement. He explained its symbolic importance: he explained its historic development; he delivered, _in cretia ultimatum est_, an exegesis on the _Jarcon_. And then he took off the cloak of priestcraft and cast it to the floor. "For I am," he said, "Ah, a man as you are men." Then, being no longer empowered to pronounce a benediction (under normal conditions, the function of a younger priest), he left the cheering members of Flight Seventeen A and sped directly to his stateroom. The afternoon passed uneventfully. The complement of the ship moved about their routine chores tingling in anticipation of the evening. At the evening meal, a new seating arrangement was instituted at the insistence of the steward and the third mate. The newly formed couples were to sit side by side.