"It was an accident they came when they did," said Marsden. "A lucky accident. I like Talbor now. I wouldn't change places with anyone." "It's still nice looking at pictures and singing songs, I guess, if we can forget about the real women of Earth." "A lucky accident," said Marsden again. "Just when we got all starry-eyed about things that didn't matter, they came and showed us what we really had." "Well, see you." Later, after Marsden returned to his cabin, Marie said: "I'll wear that dress Saturday nights if you want." "Fine," said Marsden. "But only Saturday nights. It's silly the rest of the time." He took Marie in his arms. * * * * * Alice Cooper removed the tight corset with a sigh of relief. "The first thing I'm going to do when we get back home is go out to the beach somewhere and get sunburned. Swim and ride horseback, too," she told one of her companions. "I feel all--all scrunched up." "Little wonder, Alice. Women weren't made to wear these tight things and get all constricted." "What a job," said Alice. "Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it. We still have three more planets to visit on this trip." "It's worth it. Sociology Central figures it out just right. When the folks on one of the out planets get a little disgruntled with what they've got, we're sent. They've built up a mighty splendid picture of Earth and Earth people." "I know it. So we come along and do everything we can to make Earth look like the worst sink hole in the universe. By the time we leave, the two ideas--their own glorified impression of Earth and our warped play-acting--kind of merge. They realize they have a pretty good thing on their own home planet." "That's the way it should be, but I _still_ like Earth." "Me too," Alice smiled. "One of these days, though, my husband is going to make me give up my career and raise a whole crew of children. You know something? I think I'd like that fine."