“Well?”
“Suppose you never went again? With the population we now have, and the natural increase, wouldn't civilization reestablish itself in time?”
“Undoubtedly. But think how long it would take! Every additional person imported puts us ahead tremendously. I may never be able to bring all the Folk, all the Lanskaarn, and those other mysterious yellow-haired people they talk about from beyond the Great Vortex. But I can do my share, anyhow. Our boy here may have to complete the process. It may take a lifetime to accomplish the rescue, but it must be done!”
“So you're determined to go again?”
“I am! I must!”
She seized his hand imploringly.
“And leave us? Leave your boy? Leave me?”
“Only to return soon, darling! Very soon!”
“But after this one trip, will you promise to train somebody else to go in your place?”
“I'll see, dearest!”