the ladies. "I'm so glad," he complimented, "your
customs permit that. Being not able to kiss such beautiful creatures
would surely have broken my heart. And what lovely little ones! They
all have wings! I thought some of them would not."
51 "Usually," explained North, "only the second or third generation
lose their wings in mixed marriages. This little one will be
like my friend Morn. Though he is heavier he will be stronger, and he,
too, will share the sky."
52 “Marvelous!" cried the older Peepian. "To be able to soar in the
air like eagles! What a glorious thing! I do hope that you will give
us a demonstration of your flying skills when appropriate."
53 "I would be pleased," agreed North, "but I have some with me who are
far more skilled in the air than I and will be more than glad to give
you a demonstration of aerial acrobatics. Even I am thrilled by their
performances."
54 "Then it will be something I will look forward to seeing!" agreed
Spearon. "But I grow hungry. In the feast room a banquet awaits. Again
may I compliment you on the beauty of your ladies?"
55 North, too, was pleased at the show his ladies had made. Though
their gowns of Hashon silk and lace were not as gaudy as those of the
Peepian women, their bearing made up for this. It was not their
strangeness, alone, that made the Peepian men take notice, but their
beauty.
56 "But I still cannot understand," inquired Spearina, "how two women
can share such a wonderful man. Do you not sometimes quarrel over who
is his favorite?"
57 "Never over that!" answered Valley Blossom, "We know we are equal in
his heart. We do sometimes quarrel though, over other things, as any
sisters would, and sometimes
when his eyes wander on younger women, we