Their leader, the man who had first looked into the port, now detached himself from the group and came forward, his hand outstretched in the old Earth gesture of friendliness. His appearance had all the characteristics of his companions, but in a more striking degree. He was taller than they, more than five feet, and his broad shoulders had the confident bearing of accustomed command. He spoke, in a pleasant, vibrant baritone:
"Welcome, men of Earth. Sorry for our little misunderstanding."
Sine gripped his hand, returned the muscular grip.
"It took us a little while to know what you were. And I may add that I'm pleasantly surprised that we can still understand each other."
The Jovian shrugged his shoulder:
"Canned speech. No chance for a language to evolve when it's mechanically recorded. But come up to my cabin. It's chilly here, and your manner of dress——"
"That has changed!" Sine smiled. "Lents and Kass, will you go ahead?"