"Now for some more news," Lacy announced. "Haynes didn't tell you, but he has been made president of the Galactic Council. You are his first appointment. I hate to say anything good about the old scoundrel, but he has one outstanding ability. He doesn't know much or do much himself, but he certainly can pick the men who have to do the work for him!"
"There's something vastly more important than that," Haynes steered the acclaim away from himself.
"Just a minute," Kinnison interposed. "I haven't got this all straight yet. What was that crack about active nurses a while ago?"
"Why, Dr. Lacy was just intimating that I had resigned, goose," Clarrissa chuckled. "I didn't know a thing about it myself, but I imagine that it must have been just before this conference started. Am I right, doctor?" she asked innocently.
"Or tomorrow, or even yesterday—any convenient time will do," Lacy blandly assented. "You see, young man, MacDougall has been a mighty busy girl, and wedding preparations take time, too. Therefore, we have very reluctantly accepted her resignation."
"Especially, preparations take time when it's going to be such a wedding as the Patrol is going to stage," Haynes volunteered. "That was what I was starting to talk about when I was so rudely interrupted."
"Nix—not in seven thousand years!" Kinnison exploded. "Cancel that, right now. I won't stand for it. I'll not—"
"Close the pan, young fellow," the admiral advised him, firmly. "Bridegrooms are to be seen—just barely visible—but not heard, ever. A wedding is where the girls really strut their stuff. How about it, you gorgeous young menace to civilization?"
"I'll say so!" she exclaimed in high animation. "I'd just love it, admiral—" She broke off, aghast. Her face fell. "No, I didn't mean that, really. Kim's right. Thanks a million, just the same, but—"
"But nothing!" Haynes broke in. "I know what's the matter. Don't try to fib to an old campaigner, and don't be silly. I said the Patrol was throwing this wedding—all of it. All you have to do is to participate in the action. Got any money, Kinnison? On you, I mean."