musical novelties, Verd and Milden evenings and a spectacle Smollen night, when I'm to be a butterfly with four wings.
I'd like to make my own costume, out of real butterfly wings."
"That sounds complicated."
"Not if you help me. Are you allowed to fly?"
Glawen nodded.
"Chiike signed off my advanced novice rating as of last week. I'm checked out on any of the Mitrix trainers."
"Then we can fly down to Maroli Meadow and gather butterfly wings."
"I don't see why not if your mother will approve of the idea, which somehow I doubt."
"I doubt it too if I asked in advance. So I'll tell her after we get back, if she asks. It's time that I was developing independence, don't you think? But not too much;
I'm happy to stay a little girl for a while yet ... I must go in, before Mother comes looking for me. She has her own ideas about independence."
"When do you want to go to Maroli Meadow? I should know a day or two in advance."
"A week from next Ing is a school holiday. The Calliope Club is planning a swimming party and picnic up at Blue Mountain Lake. Perhaps you and I can go to Maroli Meadow on our own picnic."
"Very well. I'll have Chiike reserve a Mitrix for me."
Sessily stirred.
"I hate to leave but I must! Now, do be careful walking home! Don't fall down and hurt yourself, and don't get carried away by a big night bird or an owl!"
"I'll be careful."
Chiike had given Glawen his flight training and made no difficulty about providing a Mitrix flyer for what would go on the log as a "cadet day patrol."" On the appointed bright sunny Ing morning, Glawen and Sessily arrived at the airport, Glawen with a pair of mesh baskets and a long-handled net while Sessily carried a picnic hamper.
Chiike pointed to a nearby flyer.
"There's your Mitrix. But why the baskets and the net?"
Sessily said: "We're putting down on Maroli Meadow for butterfly wings. I need them for my Parilia costume. I'm to be a beautiful four-winged butterfly in the spectacle."
"You'll be that without a doubt," said Chiike gallantly.
Sessily warned him: "Don't tell anyone! It's supposed to be a surprise."
"Never fear! I'll hold my tongue."
Glawen asked: "What of your own costume?"
"Me? Costume? I'm just one of the help."
"Come now, Chiike! All of us know better than that! Surely you'll be at the festival!"
"Well--maybe so. It's the one affair where I'm allowed, but only because the mask hides my face. I'll be Chitterjay the Clown, which you'll probably consider not much of a disguise. What of you?"
"I'm a Black Imp, in a tight black velvet skin, with even my face painted black."
"You're not one of the Bold Lions, then."
"Not a chance! They'll all be in Lion costume." Glawen pointed to the Mitrix.
"Is it ready to go?"
"Approximately, considering it's an Araminta flyer. Let's see if you remember the checkout."
Chiike watched as Glawen performed the routine inspections.
"Fuel:
charged," said Glawen.
"Emergency power: charged. Navigator:
nulls all proper. Time: correct. Circuits: blue light.
Radio: blue light. Backup box: blue light. Emergency flares:
in case. Pistol: on rack, at ready. Emergency water: full.
Emergency gear: in cabinet. Engines:
