"Yes."
Biddy came close and the man concentrated on the brace. Except that Biddy thought he was more interested in her leg. His hands were very gentle and then he looked up suddenly and said, "How would you like to see the things I have inside the cave, child?"
"You can call me Biddy if you want to. My name is Ruth but Biddy's my nickname."
"It's a nice one. Let's go inside."
Joe had a small thing on his shirt and it was only when he reached up and touched it and the door of the cave swung open that Biddy noticed the peculiar way he was dressed. And it was strange, she thought, that she hadn't even seen the tight-fitting silver colored shirt and the pants that were silver too and almost like skin they were so tight to his legs. But even in noticing them now, Biddy didn't say anything because they really weren't strange at all. Not when Joe wore them.
Joe took her hand and led her into the cave. He said, "Now don't be afraid. None of this is made to hurt little girls."
"What's it for?"
"It's called a primary relay station."
"Like our space station?"
"No—not exactly. This station hasn't any guns. At least it hasn't the kind of guns you know about."