I got him aside presently and braced him to let me join the hunt. He was polite but unimpressed, so I insisted. What makes you think you can find him? he asked me. We've got the most experienced Moon men available out there now. I'm afraid, son, that you would get yourself lost or hurt if you tried to keep up with them. In this country, if you once lose sight of landmarks, you can get hopelessly lost.
But look, Doctor, I told him, I know the runt I mean my kid brother, better than anyone else in the world. I won't get lost I mean I will get lost but just the way he did. You can send somebody to follow me.
He thought about it. It's worth trying, he said suddenly. I'll go with you. Let's suit up.
We made a fast trip out, taking thirty-foot strides the best I could manage even with Dr. Evans hanging on to my belt to keep me from stumbling. Mr. Perrin was expecting us. He seemed dubious about my scheme. Maybe the old 'lost mule' dodge will work, he admitted, but I'll keep the regular search going just the same. Here, Shorty, take this flashlight. You'll need it in the shadows.
I stood on the edge of the crater and tried to imagine I was the runt, feeling bored and maybe a little bit griped at the lack of attention. What would I do next?
I went skipping down the slope, not going anywhere in particular, the way the runt would have done. Then I stopped and looked back, to see if Mother and Daddy and Dickie had noticed me. I was being followed all right; Dr. Evans and Mr. Perrin were close behind me. I pretended that no one was looking and went on. I was pretty close to the first rock outcroppings by now and I ducked behind the first one I came to. It wasn't high enough to hide me but it would have covered the runt. It felt like what he would do; he loved to play hide-and-go-seek it made him the center of attention.
I thought about it. When the runt played that game, his notion of hiding was always to crawl under something, a bed, or a sofa, or an automobile, or even under the sink. I looked around. There were a lot of good places; the rocks were filled with blowholes and overhangs. I started working them over. It seemed hopeless; there must have been a hundred such places right around close.
Mr. Perrin came up to me as I was crawling out of the fourth tight spot. The men have shined flashlights around in every one of these places, he told me. I don't think it's much use, Shorty.
Okay, I said, but I kept at it. I knew I could get at spots a grown man couldn't reach; I just hoped the runt hadn't picked a spot I couldn't reach.
It went on and on and I was getting cold and stiff and terribly tired. The direct sunlight is hot on the Moon, but the second you get in the shade, it's cold. Down inside those rocks it never got warm at all. The suits they gave us tourists are well enough insulated, but the extra insulation is in the gloves and the boots and the seats of the pants and I had been spending most of my time down on my stomach, wiggling into tight places.
I was so numb I could hardly move and my whole front felt icy. Besides, it gave me one more thing to worry about how about the runt? Was he cold, too?
If it hadn't been for thinking how those fish looked and how, maybe, the runt would be frozen stiff before I could get to him, I would have quit. I was about beat. Besides, it's rather scarey down inside those holes you don't know what you'll come to next.
Dr. Evans took me by the arm as I came out of one of them, and touched his helmet to mine, so that I got his voice directly. Might as well give up, son. You're knocking yourself out and you haven't covered an acre. I pulled away from him.
The next place was a little overhang, not a foot off the ground. I flashed a light into it. It was empty and didn't seem to go anywhere. Then I saw there was a turn in it. I got down flat and wiggled in. The turn opened out a little and dropped off. I didn't think it was worthwhile to go any deeper as the runt wouldn't have crawled very far in the dark, but I scrunched ahead a little farther and flashed the light down.
I saw a boot sticking out.
That's about all there is to it. I nearly bashed in my helmet getting out of there, but I was dragging the runt after me. He was limp as a cat and his face was funny. Mr. Perrin and Dr. Evans were all over me as I came out, pounding me on the back and shouting. Is he dead, Mr. Perrin? I asked, when I could get my breath. He looks awful bad.
Mr. Perrin looked him over. No...I can see a pulse in his throat. Shock and exposure, but this suit was specially built we'll get him back fast. He picked the runt up in his arms and I took out after him.
Ten minutes later the runt was wrapped in blankets and drinking hot cocoa. I had some, too. Everybody was talking at once and Mother was crying again, but she looked normal and Dad had filled out.
He tried to write out a check for Mr. Perrin, but he brushed it off. I don't need any reward; your boy found him. You can do me just one favor
Yes? Dad was all honey.
Stay off the Moon. You don't belong here; you're not the pioneer type.
Dad took it. I've already promised my wife that, he said without batting an eye. You needn't worry.
I followed Mr. Perrin as he left and said to him privately, Mr. Perrin I just wanted to tell you that I'll be back, if you don't mind.
He shook hands with me and said, I know you will, Shorty.
It's Great to Be Back!
Hurry up, Allan! Home back to Earth again! Her heart was pounding.
Just a second. She fidgeted while her husband checked over a bare apartment. Earth-Moon freight rates made it silly to ship their belongings; except for the bag he carried, they had converted everything to cash. Satisfied, he joined her at the lift; they went on up to the administration level and there to a door marked:
LUNA CITY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Anna Stone, Service Manager.
Miss Stone accepted their apartment keys grimly. Mr. and Mrs. MacRae. So you're actually leaving us?
Josephine bristled. Think we'd change our minds?
The manager shrugged. No. I knew nearly three years ago that you would go back from your complaints.
From my comp Miss Stone, I've been as patient about the incredible inconveniences of this, this pressurized rabbit warren as anyone. I don't blame you personally, but
Take it easy, Jo! her husband cautioned her. Josephine flushed. Sorry, Miss Stone.
Never mind. We just see things differently. I was here when Luna City was three air-sealed Quonset huts connected by tunnels you crawled through, on your knees. She stuck out a square hand. I hope you enjoy being groundhogs again, I honestly do. Hot jets, good luck, and a safe landing.
Back in the lift, Josephine sputtered. 'Groundhogs' indeed! Just because we prefer our native planet, where a person can draw a breath of fresh air
You use the term, Allan pointed out.
But I use it about people who've never been off Terra.
We've both said more than once that we wished we had had sense enough never to have left Earth. We're groundhogs at heart, Jo.
Yes, but Oh, Allan, you're being obnoxious. This is the happiest day of my life. Aren't you glad to be going home? Aren't you?
Of course I am. It'll be great to be back. Horseback riding. Skiing.
And opera. Real, live grand opera. Allan, we've simply got to have a week or two in Manhattan before we go to the country.
I thought you wanted to feel rain on your face.
I want that, too. I want it all at once and I can't wait. Oh, darling, it's like getting out of jail. She clung to him.
He unwound her as the lift stopped. Don't blubber.
Allan, you're a beast, she said dreamily. I'm so happy.
They stopped again, in bankers' row. The clerk in the National City Bank office had their transfer of account ready. Going home, eh? Just sign there, and your print. I envy you. Hunting, fishing.
Surf bathing is more my style. And sailing.