He took her hand and they walked to the gate of the patio. He stood there, feeling Gistla's hand tighten about his own. And as he said, "Hello, everybody," he felt his breath shorten as though he had suddenly gotten stage fright.
He saw his father turn around. "What's this?" Mr. Kenington said, frowning.
"Hello, Father," George said.
"Father," Mr. Kenington repeated. "What are you doing in this patio?"
"I brought Gistla back."
"So I see," said Mr. Kenington, his eyes narrow as he looked at Gistla. "Where's George?"
"I'm George."
"I'm not in the mood for joking with Venusians," his father snapped. "What made you think you could come in here like this?"
Gistla's hand tightened again. "Try to understand," George said. "Gistla—"
"What's going on?" his sister interrupted.