They grabbed Yank’s paws and began dancing.
“That’s wonderful!” Mrs. Kenton said. “I was afraid you’d have to stay behind here.”
Ted and Jill were so enthusiastic over the proposed trip that they grabbed Yank’s paws and began dancing around with him. Randy stood watching them, not quite sharing their high spirits. When Ted saw him, he grabbed Randy’s hand and made him join in the celebration. A moment later Randy was enjoying himself as much as the rest.
Dr. Kenton said to Randy’s father: “They are in need of some space-port engineers back on Earth. If Randy would like to go with Ted and Jill, would you consider a job like that?”
“You may not know it, John, but I’ve had my application in for such a job for years,” Mr. Matthews answered, highly pleased. “I’ll say I’ll take it!”
“If you kids will stop jumping around a minute,” Dr. Kenton said, “I’ve got something else to say.”
They stopped and listened intently.
“If we go Earthward it may be a long time before we come back to Mars,” he said. “We—or at least you—may never get back.”
“That’s all right with me,” Ted said. “I’ve seen enough of Mars to last me a lifetime! It’s interesting here, but it’s nothing compared to good old Earth.”