They were startled by a sudden commotion, a flurry of voices, and turned to see the elevator doors open on the loading platform. A group of laughing people surged forward.
"But I'm late again, darlings!" cried a vibrant voice. "You must let me go now! The ship is waiting just for me, I know. Stop holding me!"
"But we don't want to lose you!" called a man.
"You know I'll be back in the fall."
"But the theater can't get along without you!"
"But it won't be forever, darling!"
Still laughing, Tanya Taganova pulled away from her teasing friends. She was a tall woman, very slender; very beautiful, with her burnished auburn hair and warm brown eyes. She walked forward with the swift precision of a dancer, in her flared gown of stiff green satin, whose ruff stood out about her slender neck to frame a regal head. In her arms she carried an enormous sheaf of red roses.
With light steps she entered the port, then turned to wave at her friends and give them a last challenging smile.
The Second Officer asked sharply, "Are you a passenger, madame? You're rather late."
"And I tried so hard to be on time for once in my life! I'm very sorry, lieutenant!"