Wayness put on an airy attitude.
"Please, Glawen, don't be cross. It's not easy being me nowadays."
"One would never guess. You make it seem so effortless."
Wayness smiled.
"I don't lack for help. Mother is training me for a life of dignity and decorum. You want me to be a full-fledged Clattuc, ready for anything, fearless of scandal or disgrace."
"Yes; it gives one a fine feeling of freedom!"
"But there is someone else with even more influence over me.
This person urges me in quite a different direction, with advice that I can't ignore."
"Oh? Who is this wise individual?"
"Me."
Glawen presently asked: "And what advice do you hear from yourself?"
Wayness turned away; the two walked south along the Beach Road.
"It concerns something which I've never mentioned before, and I'd prefer not to talk about it now."
"Why not? Is it a secret, or a mystery?"
"It's something I learned when Milo and I were last on Earth, and it's become an obsession with me. I intend to go back to Earth as soon as I've finished school. With Milo, if he'll come."
The light from Syrene suddenly seemed less bright and cheerful. Glawen asked: "Do you intend to enlighten me, ever?"
"I hadn't thought about it, one way or the other."
"And this is why you want to break off our relationship."
Wayness burst out laughing.
"That's very poor logic! I said nothing of the sort! Anyway it's not the reason. In fact, there isn't any reason except that I know myself and I'm afraid."
"Afraid of what?"
Wayness gave an oblique answer.
"At Stroma our love affairs arc very demure. Just to sit in a corner with someone, drinking tea and eating cookies, is considered high adventure."
Glawen made a glum sound.
"We haven't even reached that stage yet."
"Don't be in such a hurry; it drags on forever and it's tiresome, especially if Mother hangs around."
"What's the next stage?"
"That's the one of which I'm afraid. I don't want to start something which takes my mind off--more important things."
"I take it you mean your trip to Earth?"
Wayness nodded.
"Perhaps I shouldn't have brought the subject up, except that I'd have to tell you sooner or later and it's only fair to tell you sooner, so that you can avoid me, if you're of a mind to do so."
"And this is why you've been hiding from me?"
Wayness again gave an oblique answer.
"I've decided not to hide from you anymore."
"That's good news."
They arrived at the path which led through the trees to Riverview House. Wayness hesitated, moved first in one direction then another, until Glawen caught her and kissed her: once, then twice.
"The answer then is yes?"
"Yes? To what?"
"To our so-called relationship."
Wayness gave her shoulders a jerk, squinted, squirmed, tilted her head, twitched her nose, made a fluttering gesture with her fingers.
