Her body stiffened and she snatched her eyes out of his. Her voice was hard and narrow.
“Cub Sterling, I wouldn’t ... ever ... live with you! At last I see why women have children ... why they want to belong....”
All the angularity went out of him. He reached over and gathered her into his arms. His voice curled and nestled in her ear.
“You’ll have them, Salscie! Lots of little Sterlings!”
Outside the loud speaker began:
“Docterr Ste-earling, Junyior, Doct-terr Eth-err-ridge Ste-arling, Junyior. Calling Doct-terr....”
They wilted apart, but their eyes still held and Cub said, softly and definitely:
“My father’s ill. Very ill. The hospital’s in a terrible stew. I may not get to see you for a couple of days. Be good until I do! Take care of yourself! Don’t be ferocious to anybody, Salscie! Promise? I’ll tell Mattus to let you have your clothes, and try sitting up if you like. Think you’ll need some more pills tonight ... darling?”
She blushed and smiled slowly. Cub took a box from his pocket and gave her two veronal tablets.
Then he leaned over and ordered: