Ruth fled unobtrusively and left the men alone.
"Hear you're going on a vacation," said Harrison gruffly.
"You've heard correct." Yeager pleated his hatband with steady fingers. His voice was even and placid.
Harrison looked him over with indolent insolence. "Some folks find this climate don't agree with them. Some folks find it better to drift out, casual-like, y' understand?"
"Yes?"
"I'm tellin' it to you straight."
"That you're going to leave? The Lunar Company will miss you," suggested the range-rider politely.
"Think you're darned clever, don't you? It's you that's leaving the company, Mr. Yeager."
"For a week."
"For good."