Marcus frowned in the darkness. Wilbur was getting entirely the wrong idea about women. He'd find it difficult to adjust to the different conditions at home. Marcus told the girl their names and asked hers.
"Mary Ellen."
"That's all, Mary Ellen?"
"Of course, I have a last name, but I'm hoping to change it."
He sighed in resignation. "Mary Ellen, we won't discuss marriage again. Is this clear? However I have plans for you. I'll get in touch with you before we leave Earth." They were nearing a brightly lit thoroughfare and he felt safer.
"I was hoping you'd say that," she said wistfully. She dug into a tiny purse and handed him a card. "You'll notice there's another name on it, too. That's Chloe, my half-sister. She's smart and I like her, but I hope you don't like her—not better than me, anyway."
"I'm sure I won't. But why half-sister? I'd think it would be rather difficult for your mother to marry again."
"Of course she couldn't," she said scornfully. "No woman's allowed more than half a—"
"Mary Ellen!"
"All right, I won't say it," she said crossly. "But you asked."