Redgrave was standing just behind her; she took him by the hand and drew him beside her, saying, with a little laugh: "Now, please look as pleasant as you can; I am sure they are very friendly.

A man with a face like that couldn't mean any harm." The figure repeated the motions to Redgrave, who returned them, perhaps a trifle awkwardly.
Then the car began to descend, and the figure beckoned to them to follow.
"You'd better go and wrap up, dear.

From the gentleman's dress it seems pretty cold outside; though the air is evidently quite breathable," said Redgrave, as the _Astronef_ began to drop in company with the car.

"At any rate, I'll try it first, and if it isn't we can put on our breathing-dresses." When Zaidie had made her winter toilet, and Redgrave had found the air to be quite respirable, but of Arctic cold, they went down the gangway ladder about twenty minutes later.

The figure had got out of the car, which was laying a few yards from them on the sandy plain, and came forward to meet them with both hands outstretched.
[Illustration: _Came forward to meet them with both hands outstretched._] Zaidie unhesitatingly held out hers, and a strange thrill ran through her as she felt them for the first time clasped gently by other than earthly hands, for the Venus folk had only been able to pat and stroke with their gentle little paws, somewhat as a kitten might do.