"Ah, an official entomologist. But in that case, why New Eden? Or are you insurance against people like Carrie and me who might import something?"
"You never can tell. Something may turn up. It's hard to imagine a planet without any insects at all."
"Eden's remarkable that way," put in the young officer sitting across from them. "No stinging bugs or parasites. Makes everything a lot more comfortable. Still, it's pretty new. Only a small part developed so far."
"So we've insurance against the unknown in Bridget Kelly."
"And what might you be insurance against, Mr. Maguire?" she countered.
The officer stared. "Don't you folks know each other? Mr. Maguire's a grower of fancy plants. Sort of goes together ... plants and insects!" He laughed. "Well, it looks like the rest of our table won't show up for this meal."
"What happened to the lady without the orchid? She was with you, wasn't she?" Bridget asked.
"Carrie," said Patch Maguire, "is one of those unfortunates on whom covitron does not work. She won't be with anyone for the duration. I was just hoping our whole table was not similarly afflicted."
"It's a pity," mused the young officer. "So many people make the flight across space only once. If they did it more often, they might get accustomed."