"... and, I was about to say," Barnes finished calmly, "one for this young fellow here."
Phil looked down at Lucky cradled in his arms. "So you're a she after all," he said.
"Oh no!" Dytie burst out excitedly, half out of her cloak and half in it. "You no un'erstand Vega. On Vega sex different. On Vega it's like ..." and she screwed up her face, seeking for the word.
"Kangaroos," Opperly interposed.
"Yes!" Dytie exclaimed triumphantly. "Only this difference: wife carry babies while, then babies go in father's pouch, he carry rest time. Everybody help. Later on, babies leave pouch, nurse from mother. Take off pants, Dion, show pouch."
But Dion refused rather indignantly.
"Vega men much modest," Dytie observed to Phil. "Anyway, Lucky is he."
FRITZ LEIBER
has the following books in Ace editions: