"Many."
"Recount some of them."
"An Earthwoman may not be touched, regardless of her wishes, unless danger to her life requires it."
"Looks like you wash your own back, Vicki," I chuckled.
"What else?" she asked, poking her head out. "I mean what other things can't you do?"
"There are many words I may not utter, postures I may not assume, and certain duties I may not perform. Certain answers to questions may not be given in the presence of an Earthwoman."
Fred whistled. "The Ollies have mastered more than our language ... I thought you said they were noted mainly for their linguistic talents, Cliff."
I was surprised, too. In the space of a few hectic months our alien visitors had probed deeply into our culture, mores and taboos—and then had had the genius to instill their compounded discretions into their Soths.
I said, "Satisfied, Vicki?"
She was still arranging herself. Her lips curled up at the corners impishly. "I'm almost disappointed," she said. "I do an all-out striptease, and no one looks but my husband. Of course," she added thoughtfully, "I suppose that's something...."