"I thought it was a case of plain, everyday, common, down-to-earth nepotism."
"So do a lot of people, but it isn't true; I'm told that I earn my salary."
Steve laughed. "I didn't intend that crack of mine to rub salt in an open wound."
"Oh, I'll not take it seriously," she said. "But you go on and saturate yourself with coffee; glad you made it all right."
"See you later," he nodded, and turned from her to walk briskly towards the mess. Seeing Lois had steadied him as he had known it would. Hagen was not given to mental analysis, either of himself or of others, but he did realize the truth of what his professors had taught him in psychology I—that the feeling of kinship with good solid earth and the regard of a woman were the absolute basic things that go toward making a man feel well in heart. So long as he can retain these—
"Steve!" came the call. Hagen whirled instantly and held up a hand to Lois; he turned and started to cross the space between them but Lois waved him back. She cupped her hands to her lips and called: "You'll be at the brawl Saturday?"
"Yes," he called back. "You gotta date?"
Lois shook her head.
Steve beat upon his chest, then polished his fingernails on the lapel of his leather space jacket.
Lois nodded, shaking her auburn hair vigorously. Then she turned and headed towards the office building, and Steve went on towards the mess. Steve Hagen was feeling positively cheerful.