John's face was red from his neck to his hair. "Young man, yourself," he blurted, "how old do you think I am?"
"Young in comparison to me. I am seventy five. Now think of what your hospital was like back on earth."
John steadied his mind and visualized the events of their last day on Earth.
"There—that's better," said Zingar quietly. "If this could have registered technical matter the old ones wouldn't have to bother to learn your language." He shifted the black disk to Doctor Smithson's bony forehead.
"If you believe we should be helped, why not let us escape—even go with us," urged John.
"I have thought of it," he replied calmly.
Mary came up to him quickly—"Oh, please do. I know you are good—I love those sick people back there underground. There are a few who think only of their sickness but most of them are really much finer than selfish normal people. Their handicaps have made them strong and kind. They can even laugh at pain."
Zingar abruptly removed the disk from Doctor Smithson, to the latter's disgust, and placed it gently on Mary's golden waves. "Please repeat—remember we cannot understand your words very clearly, but we can receive your picture thoughts. I heard part of what you said."
Mary repeated her plea, but she also blushed, as if the sudden nakedness of her secret mind before him was embarrassing. He smiled appreciatively and they withdrew to one of the low mattresses and sat together for an hour or more, apart from the others. They seemed to forget the present world entirely, but Zingar's questions were too low for John to hear, and he was still curious at the story back of Mary's quiet sadness. Hilda thought, why they can get as much acquainted in an hour as we do ordinarily in years. I never have really known what John thought about my hand.... Both of them glanced at Mary occasionally and it seemed, after a long time, that some of the strain passed from her face and a strange quiet happiness flowed over it. Finally they arose and came to the center of the room, where their companions were still talking excitedly.
"I will do it—tonight," said Zingar with dignity. "I will go with you, and be one of you—even back to the Earth. But first I must prepare and I want to bring my twin sister with me. We are inseparable."