“A false sentiment,” he replied. “Centauri is above and beyond you.”
“My God!” I gasped, yet quick as a flash replied: “Centauri is a woman!”
His eyes burned into mine. “You are courageous,” he whispered, then abruptly, yet without offence, shut the door almost in my face.
Outside, alone upon a misty deck, we stared blankly at each other; then Sheldon aired a grievance.
“We’ve permitted ourselves to be mauled about by this, that, and the other; to be taken here, there, anywhere, willy-nilly; we’ve almost lost our identity,” he grumbled. “It is well we managed some spunk before ‘The Centauri’ who, by the way, is a shrewd old cuss, and gained power through the exaggerated estimate of the people—like many on our side. But he’s a harmless old chap, on the decade. Look sharp about the girl, Sally. He warned you of that himself. She’s a tartar, and as homely as sin—there’s a great disappointment sure. Squelch the flame, think of gain; domineering selfishness is a powerful magnet.”
“Notice how he mentioned the planet Virgillius?” squeaked Saunders. “Why, for all his boasted knowledge he knows little more of the planet than I do.”
“And,” sputtered Sheldon, “he claimed the great body of fresh water for the Centaurians, called it ‘Tegao,’ or something——.”
“Good heavens, boys!” murmured Saxe., “have more respect for our host, he is Centauri, the Great One!”
“Fiddle! he flung bouquets at you, Saxe.!” retorted Sheldon. “He’ll have the government present you with an advanced Propellier—invented centuries ago by himself—all for towing us safely across the Pole. Traveling in crystal won’t be bad—I’ll be in full possession of the fresh water supply, Saunders’ll have his star fenced in, and Sally—well—er—Sally will have nothing to show—a dead romance—sweet remembrance—and a devout thankfulness he’s well out of it.”
“Say, don’t worry about me,” I cried; “and—drop the subject all around. The Centaurians are great people, their reception of us was superb, and criticising them not quite up to—er—par. For instance,” I concluded, pointing to the clouds enveloping us, “admire the—ahem!—scenery.”