“Oh,” said Cochrane.

“And then I couldn’t sleep,” said Babs guilelessly.  “Do you mind if I stay here?  Everybody else has gone to bed.”

“Oh, no,” said Cochrane.  “Stay if you like.”

He stared out at the dark.  Presently he moved to another port.  After a moment he pointed.

“There’s a glow in the sky there,” he said curtly.

She looked.  There was a vast curving blackness which masked the stars.  Beyond it there was a reddish glare, as if of some monstrous burning.  But the color was not right for a fire.  Not exactly.

“A city?” asked Babs breathlessly.

“A volcano,” Cochrane told her.  “I’ve staged shows that pretended to show intellectual creatures on other planets—­funny how we’ve been dreaming of such things, back on Earth—­but it isn’t likely.  Not since we’ve actually reached the stars.”

“Why since then?”

“Because,” said Cochrane, half ironically, “man was given dominion over all created things.  I don’t think we’ll find rivals for that dominion.  I can’t imagine we’ll find another race of creatures who could be—­persons.  Heaven knows we try to rob each other of dignity, but I don’t think there’s another race to humiliate us when we find them!”

After a moment he added: 

“Bad enough that we’re here because there are deodorants and cosmetics and dog-foods and such things that people want to advertise to each other!  We wouldn’t be here but for them, and for the fact that some people are neurotics and some don’t like their bosses and some are crazy in other fashions.”

“Some crazinesses aren’t bad,” argued Babs.

“I’ve made a living out of them,” agreed Cochrane sourly.  “But I don’t like them.  I have a feeling that I could arrange things better.  I know I couldn’t, but I’d like to try.  In my own small way, I’m even trying.”

Babs chuckled.

“That’s because you are a man.  Women aren’t so foolish.  We’re realists.  We like creation—­even men—­the way creation is.”

“I don’t,” Cochrane said irritably.  “We’ve accomplished something terrific, and I don’t get a kick out of it!  My head is full of business details that have to be attended to tomorrow.  I ought to be uplifted.  I ought to be gloating!  I ought to be happy!  But I’m worrying for fear that this infernal planet is going to disappoint our audience!”

Babs chuckled again.  Then she went to the stair leading to the compartment below.

“What’s the matter?” he demanded.

“After all, I’m going to leave you alone,” said Babs cheerfully.  “You’re always very careful not to talk to me in any personal fashion.  I think you’re afraid I’ll tell you something for your own good.  If I stayed here, I might.  Goodnight!”

She started down the stairs.  Cochrane said vexedly: 

“Hold on!  Confound it, I didn’t know I was so transparent!  I’m sorry, Babs.  Look!  Tell me something for my own good!”