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brought from home. What about it, Balit?
But Balit wasn t listening. His eyes were on the door. Viktor? Why is it
getting so dark outside? he asked.
Viktor turned to look. It was true; the bright day had turned gloomy. The sun
was gone, and the clouds were thick and black. Well, he said, if we re
going anywhere maybe we d better hurry. I think it s going to rain.
Rain it did the first big warm drops splashing on them even before they
reached
Markety s home, then crashing torrents when they were safely inside. Balit was
delighted. He kept jumping up to the doorway, to take more and more pictures.
It was coming down most imposingly, with thunder that made Balit hold his ears
and lightning strokes that made him squeal not in fear, or not all in fear,
but mostly in a thrill of excitement at this unprecedented, unimaginable
spectacle of the elements at work.
The lunch was all Markety had promised, and he was a cheerful host. I do
apologize for not knowing more about those Nebo things, Viktor, he said,
steadying his hand to pour wine. It took both his hands to hold the decanter
against Newmanhome s pull, one to support the other.
It was my wife, really, who was interested in them Grimler, you remember? You
met her when you arrived.
Oh, Viktor said, trying to recapture the memory of a slim, pretty woman. I
think I did.
And she went back with Pelly, unfortunately. I really miss her . . . But I
can t say she knew very much about them, you know, it was just that she
thought they were interesting.
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I d like to talk to her anyway, Viktor said.
And so you shall, as soon as she gets back. Markety sipped the wine, made a
critical face, then beamed. Yes, I think it s all right. Balit? If you can
sit still for a moment I d like to offer a toast to your wonderful parents.
Just a minute, the boy called from the doorway, fascinated as he took his
pictures of the bright violence in the sky and the muddy rivulets that were
running down the walkway outside.
Oh, Viktor, he breathed, I just can t wait till I send these pictures to my
class they ll be so jealous.
Then he recollected himself. You wanted to drink a toast, Markety?
To our great artists, Frit and Forta, Markety said, lifting his glass with
ceremony. Then, when they had drunk, he added, They re part of the reason
Grimler sent the data to you, you know. Of course, she was interested anyway,
but she would have done anything if Frit or Forta asked her to any of us
would! Did you see his new dance-poem about the kitten? No? Perhaps it was
while you were in flight, but we saw the transmission here.
Marvelous!
Did you know that Viktor has danced with Forta? Balit put in.
Markety blinked at him in astonishment. This Viktor? He dances? He s danced
with
Forta?
Why, that s wonderful, Viktor, he said enthusiastically. I had no idea. I
really envy you, Viktor. Actually He permitted himself a rueful little
smile. At one time, you know, I wanted to be a dancer myself. I even hoped to
study with Forta for a time. It didn t work out. He s kind enough to say he
remembers me, but I think he s just being polite. I didn t really have the
talent, I m afraid, except in a very amateur way. And in this gravity of
course I can t dance at all.
Viktor can, Balit pointed out. He grew up here.
Markety stared at the boy, then, with sudden respect, at Viktor.
Really,
he marveled.
Could you some time, Viktor? Perhaps after Grimler comes back? I know she d
be thrilled.
Certainly Viktor will dance for you, Balit said graciously. We ll need
music, but I ll ask Forta to transmit some.
Wonderful,
Markety breathed, and if he had been a hospitable host before, now he was
almost overwhelming. The scariness of Viktor s ideas about Nebo were
forgotten. Markety selected the finest fruits for Viktor and Balit, and would
not eat himself until convinced they were satisfied. But he was beaming.
Isn t this fine? The rain, and such good company, and all these things going
on around us? I can t tell you how glad we are that we re here Grimler and
me I
mean, when she s here.
Maybe it was the wine. Certainly there had been a lot of it, but for whatever
reason, Viktor couldn t help asking, How come? I mean, I didn t think you
habitat people liked planets all that much.
Markety looked both proud and embarrassed. Grimler and I aren t like all the
habitat people, he stated confidently. I admit some of our friends think
we re crazy, but actually, we like it here. Grimler s said many times things
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