Suddenly June said, "I'm scared."
The thought had come sharply and unexpectedly. It was contagious. Polly said, "Me, too."
"Of what?" Doris asked, "Of drinking strong coffee the rest of your lives?"
It was a weak, nervous stab at humor, and Sue knew that Doris was as jumpy as the rest of them. "Steady, gals," she said sympathetically. "It'll be worth it. We want a baby, don't we?"
It was the right thought at the right time. Sue felt their minds relax, and the thought even did her some good. A sweet, little, round, pink baby—
She let the mental picture flow out to the others, and the little crisis passed.
The minutes flew, and soon it was five minutes to twelve. "Have we forgotten anything?" Sue asked.
"The perfume!" Polly and June said together.
"Hurry!" Doris said. "I think he's coming."
The seal on the tiny vial was broken, one drop on each breast, and the rich, exotic fumes exuded a gentle, warm excitement that was entirely different from the innocent scents they had known.