He had no weapons, and well knew that all his strength was of small avail against those grim, quiet women.
We were allowed to visit him freely, but he had only his room, and a small high-walled garden to walk in, while the preparations for our departure were under way.
Three of us were to go: Terry, because he must; I, because two were safer for our flyer, and the long boat trip to the coast; Ellador, because she would not let me go without her.
If Jeff had elected to return, Celis would have gone too--they were the most absorbed of lovers; but Jeff had no desire that way.
"Why should I want to go back to all our noise and dirt, our vice and crime, our disease and degeneracy ?" he demanded of me privately.

We never spoke like that before the women.

"I wouldn't take Celis there for anything on earth!" he protested.

"She'd die! She'd die of horror and shame to see our slums and hospitals.

How can you risk it with Ellador?
You'd better break it to her gently before she really makes up her mind." Jeff was right.