“Then they do not live together,” replied Tanar. “They separate and if they care to they find other mates.”
“That is wicked,” said Gura. “We would kill any of our people who did such a thing.”
Tanar shrugged and laughed.
“At least we are all a very happy people,” he said, “which is more than you can say for yourselves, and, after all, happiness, it seems to me, is everything.”
The girl thought for some time, seemingly studying an idea that was new to her.
“Perhaps you are right,” she said, presently. “Nothing could be worse than the life that we live. My mother tells me that it was not thus in her country, but now she is as bad as the rest.”
“Your mother is not a Himean?” asked Tanar.
“No, she is from Amiocap. My father captured her there when she was young.”
“That accounts for the difference,” mused Tanar.
“What difference?” she asked. “What do you mean?”