Then she had a sudden, nagging thought.
How would the colonists take to her and the other bedraggled females?
IX
The twinkling fire came nearer and they could make out the outlines of the slim-ship. It rapidly grew in size and finally settled to a heavy, groaning rest on the pitted and blackened landing field.
Karl was holding his breath, staring at the outline of the hatch on the ship's rusty side. It opened and the flight of descent stairs slid out. The captain and crew came out first.
Then the women filed down the ladder, smiling timidly and looking cold and frightened.
