The Pegasus, back in the days when it was fresh from the shipyards, had been a high speed mail carrier. Then, when ships that were faster and more capacious appeared, the Pegasus was relegated to expeditions. It had enormous holds and had already served both geologists and archaeologists, and now the Zoo had acquired its services. Poloskov was waiting for us; we had barely managed to say our hellos when he asked:

“Have you thought about which three tons we clear out?”

“I’ve don some thinking, yes.” I said.

“Tell me about it.”

At that moment a little old lady in a blue shawl came up to us and asked:

“Would it be possible for you to take a small package for my son in the Aldebaran system?”

“Why not?” Poloskov threw up his hands. “We can’t take any more of this!”

“It’s really a very small package.” The old woman said. “Two hundred grams, no more. “You can just imagine what it will be like if he can’t get his birthday present…”

We couldn’t imagine.

“And what is in the package?” Poloskov asked politely, surrendering to the mass of grey hairs.

“Nothing unusual. Cookies. Kolya so loves cookies! And a stereotape showing his son, my grandson, learning to walk.”

“Bring it on.” Poloskov said gloomily.

I looked around for Alice. She had gotten off somewheres. The sun was already high over the space port and the Pegasus’s long shadows reached the space port buildings.

“We’ll re-load part of the cargo for the moon to the regular freight ship.” I told Poloskov. “And take off will be easier from the moon.”

“I was thinking that too.” Poloskov said. “But in any case we have to unload four tons to have a reserve.”

“And where can I put this wee package?” The old woman asked.

“Then robot at the lock can take it.” Poloskov said, and the two of us started to go over what we would have to unload.