nd as
penetrant in every other respect ... but after all, if the big dope
didn't realize that half the women aboard, including Sandy, had been
making passes at him, she certainly wouldn't enlighten him. Besides,
that one particular area of obtuseness was a real part of his charm.
Wherefore she said merely: "I'm not sure whether I'm a bit catty or
you're a bit stupid. Anyway, it's Alex she's really in love with. And
you already know about Bill and me."

"Of course. He's tops. One of the world's very finest. You're in the
same bracket, and as a couple you're a drive fit. One in a million."

"Now I can say 'I love you, too', too." She paused for half a minute,
then stubbed out her cigarette and shrugged. "Now I'm going to stick my
neck way, way out. You can knock it off if you like. She's a tremendous
lot of woman, and if ... well, strong as she is, it'd shatter her to
bits. So, I'd like to ask ... I don't quite ... well, _is_ she going to
get hurt?"

"Have I managed to hide it _that_ well? From _you_?"

It was her turn to show relief. "Perfectly. Even--or especially--that
time you kissed her. So damned perfectly that I've been scared green.
I've been waking myself up, screaming, in the middle of the night. You
couldn't let on, of course. That's the hell of such a job as yours. The
rest of us can smooch around all over the place. I knew the question was
extremely improper--thanks a million for answering it."

"I haven't started to answer it yet. I said I'd lay everything on the
line, so here it is. Saying she's a tremendous lot of woman is like
calling the _Perseus_ a nice little baby's-bathtub toy boat. I'd go to
hell for her any time, cheerfully, standing straight up, wading into
brimstone and lava up to the eyeballs. If anything ever hurts her it'll
be because I'm not man enough to block it. And just the minute this
damned job is over, or even sooner if enough of you couples make it so I
can ..."

"Jarvis!" she shrieked. Jumping up, she kissed him enthusiastically.
"That's just wonderful!"

* * * * *

He thought it was pretty wonderful, too; and after ten minutes more of
conversation he got up and turned toward the door.

"I feel a lot better, Teddy. Thanks for being such a nice
pressure-relief valve. Would you mind it too much if I come in and sob
on your bosom again some day?"

"I'd love it!" She laughed; then, as he again started to leave: "Wait a
minute, I'm thinking ... i