w. Otherwise our profits--our
net production, that is--will continue to be siphoned off for the
mother country's benefit."

"Well," Ellen said with some indignation, "that was the whole reason
for planting asteroid colonies. You can't expect us to set you up in
business, at enormous cost to ourselves--things we might have done at
home--and get nothing but 'Ta' in return."

"Never fear, we'll repay you with interest," Blades said. "But
whatever we make from our own work, over and above that, ought to stay
here with us."

She grew angrier. "Your kind of attitude is what provoked the voters
to elect Social Justice candidates."

"Nice name, that," mused Blades. "Who can be against social justice?
But you know, I think I'll go into politics myself. I'll organize the
North American Motherhood Party."

"You wouldn't be so flippant if you'd go see how people have to live
back there."

"As bad as here? _Whew!_"

"Nonsense. You know that isn't true. But bad enough. And you aren't
going to stick in these conditions. Only a few hours ago, you were
bragging about the millions you intend to make."

"Millions _and_ millions, if my strength holds out," leered Blades,
thinking of the alley in Aresopolis. But he decided that that was then
and Ellen was now, and what had started as a promising little party
was turning into a dismal argument about politics.

"Let's not fight," he said. "We've got different orientations, and we'd
only make each other mad. Let's discuss our next bottle instead ... at the
Coq d'Or in Paris, shall we say? Or Morraine's in New York."

She calmed down, but her look remained troubled. "You're right, we are
different," she said low. "Isolated, living and working under
conditions we can hardly imagine on Earth--and you can't really
imagine our problems--yes, you're becoming another people. I hope it
will never go so far that--No. I don't want to think about it." She
drained her glass and held it out for a refill, smiling. "Very well,
sir, when do you next plan to be in Paris?"

* * * * *

An exceedingly enjoyable while later, the time came to go watch the
_Pallas Castle_ maneuver in. In fact, it had somehow gotten past that
time, and they were late; but they didn't hurry their walk aft. Blades
took Ellen's hand; and she raised no objection. Schoolboyish, no
doubt--however, he had reached the reluctant conclusion that for all
his dishonorable intentions, this affair was