Jr. L. J. Stecher

“ There were two towheaded kids—about eight or nine years old, I should judge—floating in empty space, with their noses flattened against the viewport glass. They were as brown as berries, and as naked as jaybirds, and as cute as chipmunks, and as alike as two peas, and as improbable as virtue. ”

“ That's no small feat in itself, standing up in a spaceship in the absence of gravity or spin."
Captain Hannah beckoned the waiter for a refill, and then asked me if I wouldn't change my mind and drink with him. The way this story of his was going, I figured I might as well, and he didn't start in talking again until we had both had a sip.
"They were skinny, and they looked explosively energetic, the way kids that age usually do. But they just stood quietly facing me side by side, giving out with cheerful gaptoothed small-boy smiles. ”

“ But....'
"'There's our big brother Jim. We've got enough on him so maybe he won't squeal. And he's grown up enough to know what to do.'
"'And he was real good at narking and giffling in school.'
"'He got an A in narking, and a B plus in giffling, but of course it wasn't advanced giffling.'
"'Still, he should be able to do the job, all right.'
"Their faces went blank and they both stared off into space as if they were concentrating as hard as they could. ”

“ If they want to get even, they have a lot of power—whatever narking and giffling may be. So here's a present for you, and I advise you to throw it away, even if I can't bring myself to do so."
Captain Hannah slammed something down on the table, jammed his head, and stalked out of the bar. ”

“ He wore a kilt and a singlet of some soft, shiny material, but no shoes.
"'Well, if it isn't Mike and Aloysius,' he said conversationally. 'Boy, are you two going to get it when you show your faces around home. Dad's been looking for you.'
"'The older boy turned and stuck his hand out at me. 'Captain Hannah, sir,' he said. 'My name's Jim Monahan. I must apologize for the brats. They bother everybody. ”