“We’ll sure miss you, Randy,” Jill was saying.
“Yes, we will,” Mrs. Kenton said kindly. “Too bad you can’t go along with us.”
At this last remark, Randy looked up wistfully. Ted had an idea that Randy would like nothing better than to go with them.
“Have you ever been to Mars, Randy?” Ted asked.
“Of course,” he replied gently. “I was born there.”
All the Kentons straightened in surprise. No wonder Randy had said he was not homesick for Earth, Ted thought. He knew the boy did not mean that he was a native Martian, but that his father was an Earthman who had been on Mars when Randy had been born.
Ted knew that his father had decided to evade the mystery of Randy no longer when he asked the direct question: “Randy, do you mind telling us where your parents are?”
Randy’s eyes dropped, and his slender fingers began twisting.
“My mother is dead. My father is somewhere on Mars with an engineering expedition. That’s why Mr. Collins is taking care of me. He’s a close friend of Father’s.”
“Son, do you know which expedition your father is with?” Dr. Kenton asked.