"I should have told you before, but I couldn't. I didn't want you to hate me, now that I'd just found you."
Gerda clung to her father fiercely. "I couldn't hate you, dad. But we mustn't let him go. I might have a chance to win him, but how can I if he's on Mars and I'm here?"
"I'm afraid that's out of our hands. Steve doesn't know it, but he's not through with the space patrol. They refused his resignation. He's just been appointed commander of the Mars-Jupiter sector. Do you think you have the guts to be a spaceman's wife?"
"I know I have. But how'll I ever convince Steve? You heard him. He said it wouldn't ever work out."
"That's your problem. He's a stubborn man."
Sudden determination shone in her face. "And I'm a stubborn woman," she called back, blowing her father a kiss. She reached the gangplank just in time to grab it and be dragged up with it.
Jomian grinned. "She's my kid. I'll bet she trims his wings, the rat."