"And then what would you do?" the kqyres queried.
"Well, then I'd go out to hyperspace and make more, I guess. I know it's a little tough on you," Mattern added apologetically, "but you know how it is; I'm crazy about that woman."
The kqyres evidently did not know, but he made an effort to understand. "And, meanwhile, she will go back to—doing what she has been doing, with other men?"
Mattern frowned. "Yeah, I guess so."
"This procedure is acceptable in terms of your culture?"
"Well," Mattern said, "for women like Lyddy, sure. I mean—oh, hell—it's hard to explain."
"But it doesn't disturb you?"
"All right," Mattern said sullenly, "so it disturbs me. So what can I do about it?"
"Would it not be wiser," the kqyres suggested, "for you to wait until you can get enough money so you can have her for yourself alone? After all, how long would it take for you to get together a sufficient sum at that rate?" And the kqyres indicated the gold.
"You got a point there." Mattern could see that the xhind was right. It would be a lot more sensible to make a few more trips and get himself a sizable bankroll before going after Lyddy, so he'd never have to share her again. Otherwise it would be back and forth, back and forth, until it sent him off his mental course.