Bliss shook her head. "I don't think she was. She is under enormous tension, something I was not aware of until after the concert. It existed before you asked her about the stars."
"Because she gave away her flute, then?"
"Perhaps. I can't tell." She turned to Fallom. "Now, Fallom, I want you to go into your room. When you're ready for bed, go to the outhouse, use the potty, then wash your hands, your face, and your teeth."
"I would like to play the flute, Bliss."
"Just for a little while, and very quietly. Do you understand, Fallom? And you must stop when I tell you to."
"Yes, Bliss."
The three were now alone; Bliss in the one chair and the men sitting each on his cot.
Bliss said, "Is there any point in staying on this planet any longer?"
Trevize shrugged. "We never did get to discuss Earth in connection with the ancient instruments, and we might find something there. It might also pay to wait for the fishing fleet to return. The men might know something the stay-at-homes don't."
"Very unlikely, I think," said Bliss. "Are you sure it's not Hiroko's dark eyes that hold you?"
Trevize said impatiently, "I don't understand, Bliss. What have you to do with what I choose to do? Why do you seem to arrogate to yourself the right of sitting in moral judgment on me?"
"I'm not concerned with your morals. The matter affects our expedition. You want to find Earth so that you can finally decide whether you are right in choosing Galaxia over Isolate worlds. I want you to so decide. You say you need to visit Earth to make the decision and you seem to be convinced that Earth revolves about that bright star in the sky. Let us go there, then. I admit it would be useful to have some information about it before we go, but it is clear to me that the information is not forthcoming here. I do not wish to remain simply because you enjoy Hiroko."
"Perhaps we'll leave," said Trevize. "Let me think about it, and Hiroko will play no part in my decision, I assure you."
Pelorat said, "I feel we ought to move on to Earth, if only to see whether it is radioactive or not. I see no point in waiting longer."
"Are you sure it's not Bliss's dark eyes that drive you?" said Trevize, a bit spitefully. Then, almost at once, "No, I take that back, Janov. I was just being childish. Still-this is a charming world, quite apart from Hiroko, and I must say that under other circumstances, I would be tempted to remain indefinitely. Don't you think, Bliss, that Alpha destroys your theory about Isolates?"
"In what way?" asked Bliss.
"You've been maintaining that every truly isolated world turns dangerous and hostile."
"Even Comporellon," said Bliss evenly, "which is rather out of the main current of Galactic activity for all that it is, in theory, an Associated Power of the Foundation Federation."
"But not Alpha. This world is totally isolated, but can you complain of their friendliness and hospitality? They feed us, clothe us, shelter us, put on festivals in our honor, urge us to stay on. What fault is there to find with them?"
"None, apparently. Hiroko even gives you her body."
Trevize said angrily, "Bliss, what bothers you about that? She didn't give me her body. We gave each other our bodies. It was entirely mutual, entirely pleasurable. Nor can you say that you hesitate to give your body as it suits you."
"Please, Bliss," said Pelorat. "Golan is entirely right. There is no reason to object to his private pleasures."
"As long as they don't affect us," said Bliss obdurately.
"They do not affect us," said Trevize. "We will leave, I assure you. A delay to search further for information will not be long."
"Yet I don't trust Isolates," said Bliss, "even when they come bearing gifts."
Trevize flung up his arms. "Reach a conclusion, then twist the evidence to fit. How like a-"
"Don't say it," said Bliss dangerously. "I am not a woman. I am Gaia. It is Gaia, not I, who is uneasy."
"There is no reason to-" And at that point there was a scratching at the door.
Trevize froze. "What's that?" he said, in a low voice.
Bliss shrugged lightly. "Open the door and see. You tell us this is a kindly world that offers no danger."
Nevertheless, Trevize hesitated, until a soft voice from the other side of the door called out softly, "Please. It is I."**