Despite the combined feelings of weariness, relief, and subdued elation that most of the humans felt, there was also unspoken agreement among them that getting out before too many questions could be asked might be an excellent idea. Chad saw a number of the Chapter members standing at the foot of the stairs, and he walked over to suggest the immediate departure of the Earthians. The Chapter members seemed more than willing to see them go as soon as possible. It was obvious that the members needed to get their heads together and talk about what had happened. They were shifting from one set of feet to another, twitching their mouthparts, exhibiting all the signs of distraction. They were not too distracted, however, to summon Chiddy and Vess and the two Inkleozese, who seemed even jollier than usual as they agreed it was time to leave Pistach-home.
Benita and Chiddy were standing beside the ramp when Carlos came from the direction of the village, walking beside a Pistach whom Benita thought she knew. As they came closer, she identified Chiddy’s nootch, Varsi, the one she’d given the scarf to on her first trip to Pistach-home. Varsi, the nice one.
“Ke greets someone,” called the nootch.
“Mother,” said Carlos. “It’s wonderful to see you. Is everything working out well? Varsi tells me there’s been a miracle.”
Benita took a deep breath and held it, then blinked a time or two. “Carlos?” she said, uncertainly.
“It’s been fun here,” he said, smiling. “But I’m dying to get back to school. I’ve really let things slide there, and it’s going to take major effort to get back on track.” He moved past her, holding his hand out to Chiddy. “Chiddy, good to see you again. Your nootch has told me so many stories about you . . .”
“Wha . . . ?” Benita said to the nootch, as Carlos moved on toward the ramp.
“For someone, a gift,” warbled the nootch, through her translator device. “In return for a gift received. A small expression of esteem.
Ke bowed, and moved toward the ramp, following Carlos.
Benita turned to glare at Chiddy. “Youdid it.”
“I did not,” he said, moving his shoulders from side to side in Pistach negation. “You told me not to. I wouldn’t have gone against your will, Benita. You know I respect you too much to do that.”
“Then who?” she demanded.
“Varsi,” he confessed, almost in a whisper. “She told me when we got here. It was while we were gone. She couldn’t bear to let him be so unhappy. Not even if he wished it.”
“What did she … I mean it … I mean the nootch, do?”
“Not much, really,” Chiddy said, looking anywhere but at her.
“But, is that really him?”
“Are you really you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Varsi did Carlos a welcome reversal, as ton’i, Vess and I, did for you when ton’i first met. Someone had . . . ghosts. Someone had troubles. Ghosts and troubles were sent away.”
“That’s all?”
“Yes. My nootch says it didn’t take a lot. Not a regression, which ke would not have had the authority to do, anyhow. Ke told me it was just a little envy removal. Just enough so Carlos did not measure everything against some other person. Plus just enough forgetting not to resent the world. And then, too, ke has been giving him sleep lessons in good manners.” He frowned, or did with his face what Pistach do when they are troubled. “Do you want to report ker to the athyci? Do you want ker to be punished? If so, Vess and Chiddy should also be punished.”
Wordless, Benita shook her head. No. No. Punished for what?
They boarded the ship, and she went on down a main gangway into her own roomlet, where she found Carlos reading a book that he said the “reverend with the president” had given him.
“It looks interesting,” he remarked. “Will we sleep on the flight home, like we did before?”
She shook her head, still wordless. He looked different. It was in the eyes, the muscles around the mouth. He looked at her, not past her, as though he saw her.