"I—I suppose so. Don't rub it in, Sam. It's hard enough to live with the thought of how wrong I was. All I can do now is pray that whatever failed in our first try failed again. Joe's people have made the human race look pretty dismal. They have every right to their planet, and if we are foolish enough to go native, well—at least we have a stronger survival instinct."
At that point Susan came in carrying Richard. He had the hiccoughs. Sue kissed me. "Richard just drew his ration of sterile tala from the clinic. He still has a slight fever. But thanks to Joe and Harmony—"
"Harmony? Who's that?"
"The native girl who helped Joe nurse us. Her name is really Hah-ah-arm-ig-hin-ih-hee, or something like that. She answers to Harmony, though."
And she did. Hearing her name the little golden girl came through the door towing Joe by one hand.
I said, "One of your favorites, Joe?"
He ran a caressing, four-fingered hand over her shoulder. "I like her," he admitted. "She wants to call me husband like Sue calls you."
Bailey smiled. "It seems there is a new fad among the natives. Something like monogamy, I understand."
I said, "What do you think of the idea, Joe?"
He thought it over. "I have not made up my mind."