Rocket from Infinity by Lester del Rey Page B

mind,” Pete replied.
    What was he saying ? Joe Mason would go straight through the ceiling of his slab-aluminum bedroom!
    â€œWhy, that’s so sweet of you,” Rachel said. “Your offer is most kind. And you’ll hardly know we’re there.”
    Not know the Barrys were around? That was really rubbing it in. Pete gulped. He’d been about to reverse himself, or at least tell Rachel Barry he’d have to ask his father first. But after her outpouring of gratitude, he couldn’t find the words.
    â€œIt’s nothing,” he murmured.
    Then he was hit from two sides by the Barry offspring as they demonstrated their gratitude in what amounted to physical attack. Advancing from two sides, they threw themselves on him.
    â€œWe love you! We love you!” they shrieked.
    And as they began taking Pete apart, Rachel Barry beamed happy approval. “You’ve made a tremendous impression on them. They’re usually quite shy with strangers.”
    Pete couldn’t conceive Ellen and Colleen as being shy with anyone, but he was too busy defending himself from the violent affection of the two extroverts to give much thought to the idea of their being shy.
    Then he got his next surprise. This came as Colleen caught sight of someone or something in the doorway and hurled herself off Pete’s lap.
    â€œHere’s Omaha,” she cried. “He wants to thank you too.”
    She rushed toward the door. Pete’s eyes followed and he saw a small, furry beast glaring balefully at him from the doorway. It was on four squat legs and had a tail it kept twitching nervously. It looked as though it would enjoy having him for dinner.
    The eyes were its most arresting feature. A clear ice-blue, they contrasted with its long, black, silky coat and made Pete think of two sharp knives pointed at his heart.
    â€œWhat’s—that,” he gulped.
    Rachel Barry laughed gently. “You’ve certainly heard of Omaha. He’s our pet cat. We all love him and he loves us.”
    â€œOmaha’s famous,” Colleen babbled. “Daddy got him on Mars the last time he went there.”
    â€œSomebody brought him from Earth,” Ellen said. “That’s where they have cats. He’s the only one in the Belt.”
    â€œOh, sure. I’ve heard of Omaha. He just—well, surprised me.”
    Ellen picked the beast up and ran back to Pete’s chair. “Here. He wants to sit in your lap.”
    This wasn’t true. Omaha had no desire whatever to sit in Pete’s lap. The beast’s hair stood on end. Its red mouth opened, revealing many sharp white teeth.
    It did not use these, however. It had other, more convenient weapons: sharp claws on its feet. A thick, hissing sound rasped from its throat as it lashed out with the claws. They bit deep into Pete’s sleeve as Omaha made a seemingly impossible backward leap and landed on the floor in front of the chair.
    â€œWhy, Omaha,” Rachel Barry said sternly. “That’s no way to treat a guest.”
    â€œYou hurt him,” Ellen accused. “You pinched him or something!”
    â€œI did not!” Pete retorted.
    â€œI think he’s frightened,” Colleen said wisely.
    This didn’t appear likely from where Pete sat. The beast crouched in front of his chair and appeared ready to take on all comers regardless of size and weight.
    â€œIt takes a little time with animals,” Rachel Barry said gently.
    At that moment, Jane came to Pete’s rescue carrying a tray full of tea things. She wore a dress and her black hair had been brushed until it glowed like silk.
    â€œBeat it, Omaha,” she said, and the cat lifted its tail and retired from the field in contemptuous triumph.
    â€œTea! How lovely!” Rachel said. “You see, Pete, we do preserve the amenities on the Snapdragon even under difficulties.”
    â€œOh, Mother. Stop it!” Jane said. “I made a cup of