That board would jump at it, but the
stipulation for possible cancellation had to be made. It was
mumbo-jumbo. Cochrane felt satisfyingly competent at handling it.
While the formalities were in progress, the ship surged and fell and
swayed and surged again. Cochrane said ruefully:
"I hate to ask you to work under conditions like this, Babs."
Babs grinned. He flushed a little.
"I know! When you were working for me I wasn't considerate."
"Who am I working for now?"
"Us," said Cochrane. Then he looked guiltily at Alicia. He felt
embarrassment at having said anything in the least sentimental before
her. Considering Johnny Simms, it was not too tactful. Her cheek, where
it had been red, now showed a distinct bruise. He said: "Sorry,
Alicia--about Johnny."
"I got into it myself," said Alicia. "I loved him. He isn't really bad.
If you want to know, I think he simply decided years ago that he
wouldn't grow up past the age of six. He was a rich man's spoiled little
boy. It was fun. So he made a career of it. His family let him. I"--she
smiled faintly, "I'm making a career of taking care of him."
"Something can be done even with a six-year-old," growled Cochrane.
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