Peepian moaned, "we will abide by your customs,
but only on this space station, which is considered your territory."
19 "And on our ships," snapped North. "None of your Officers sets foot
on one of our ships if he will not give its Officers their full
respect."
20 "Very well! " groaned the Peepian. "AND on the ships! The next thing
you know you'll be wanting us to train our women for combat!"
21 Seeing the look on North's face the Peepian quickly departed. North
decided to go home for lunch. The children would be in school, and he
could have a few minute's discussion with his wives, who had been
lending him valuable assistance by visiting and entertaining Peepian
women of the noble families, and getting them to encourage their
husbands to support North's policies.
22 As the old expression went, behind every great man is a great woman.
Among The Peepians this proved an even greater truth than among The
Hashons and The Havens.
23 North didn't bother to ring the bell, but used his own key. As he
entered the livingroom he was totally bewildered by the strange sight
he saw. Spearina and his wives sat in a circle in the middle of the
floor, bare, from the waist up, giggling and laughing! "What is going
on here?" snapped North. "What are you doing here before each other
without a man present?"
24 Spearina gave a startled cry and grabbed the supporting device her
peoples' women wore under their clothes, and turning away from North
quickly put it on, followed by her blouse. North's wives made no
attempt to move, only stared at their husband questioningly. Then, a
look of understanding came onto their faces.
25 "Our husband," laughed Valley Blossom, "there was no shame involved.
The child was merely curious about