"Listen, Dona," he said, finally. "Why did they stop making space-ships?"
"Matter-transmitters are quicker and space-ships aren't needed any more."
"Right!" Kim said. "But why was the Starshine used by my revered great-grandfather to bring the first colonists to Alphin Three?"
"Because—well—because you have to have a receiver for a matter-transmitter, and you have to carry it. Alphin Three was almost the last planet in the Galaxy to be colonized, wasn't it?"
"Yes. Why do you have to carry a receiver? No, don't bother. But do answer this one. If two places are both too far to get to, what's the difference?"
"Why, none."
"Oh, there's a lot!" he told her. "The next star-cluster is too far away for the Starshine with her present drive and fuel. To the next galaxy is no farther. But when I stopped trying to think of ways to stretch our fuel, and started trying to think of a way to get to the next galaxy, I got it."
She stared.
"Are we going there to live?" she said submissively. But her eyes were sparkling with mirth.
He kissed her exuberantly.