While Jerry came to understand much that was spoken on the _Ariel_, he could speak none of it.

Three names, at least, he had for the lady-god: "Villa," "Wife-Woman," "Missis Kennan," for so he heard her variously called.

But he could not so call her.

This was god-language entire, which only gods could talk.

It was unlike the language of Nalasu's devising, which had been a compromise between god-talk and dog- talk, so that a god and a dog could talk in the common medium.
In the same way he learned many names for the one-man god: "Mister Kennan," "Harley," "Captain Kennan," and "Skipper." Only in the intimacy of the three of them alone did Jerry hear him called: "Husband-Man," "My Man," "Patient One," "Dear Man," "Lover," and "This Woman's Delight." But in no way could Jerry utter these names in address of the one-man nor the many names in address of the one-woman.