the _Pleiades_, so we'd better. Unless, Alsyne, you don't agree?"

"I agree. The point, while of course minor, is very well taken. We and
our Operators--we brought six along; experts in their various
fields--can serve best by working on Tellus with its Galaxian Society in
getting ready for the meeting."

"Oh, of course," Fao said. "Probably Deg and I should do the same
thing?"

"That would be our thought." The two Thakerns were thinking--and
lepping--in fusion. "However," they went on carefully, "it must not be
and is not our intent to sway you in any action or decision. While not
all of you four, perhaps, are as yet fully mature, not one of you should
be subjected to any additional exterior stresses."

"I hope you don't think that way about _all_ Primes," Garlock said,
grimly. "I'm going to smack some of those kids down so hard that their
shirt-tails will roll up their backs like window shades."

"If you find such action either necessary or desirable, we will join you
quite happily in it. We go."

The four remaining Primes looked at each other in puzzled surprise.

"_What_ do you think about _that_?" Garlock asked finally, of no one in
particular.

"I don't understand them," Fao said, "but they're mighty nice people."

"Do you suppose, Clee," Belle nibbled at her lower lip, "that we're
getting off on the wrong foot with uniforms and admirals and things?
That with really adult Primes running things the Galactic Service would
run itself? No bosses or anything?"

"Umnngk." Garlock grunted as though Belle had slugged him. "I hope not.
Or do I? Anyway, not enough data yet to make speculation profitable. But
I wonder, Miss Bellamy, if it would be considered an unjustifiable
attempt to sway you in any action or decision if I were to suggest--Oh,
ever so diffidently!--that if we're going to saddle up our bronks and
ride out on roundup tomorrow morning we ought to be logging some
sack-time right now?"

"Considering the source, as well as and/or in connection with the
admittedly extreme provocation," Belle straightened up into a regal
pose, "You may say, Mister Garlock, without fear of successful
contradiction, that in this instance no umbrage will be taken, at least
for the moment." She broke the pose and giggled infectiously. "'Night,
you two lovely people!"

* * *

Belle was still sunny and gay when the _Pleiades_ reached Lizoria;
Garlock was inwardly happy and outwardly content. Se