“What’s your proposition, then?” from the doctor.

“Optics!” enthusiastically.  She produced a large magnifying-glass from her pocket.  “All we have to do is to show Dulnop—­he’s something of a mineralogist—­how to grind and polish a piece of crystal into this shape!”

Van Emmon groaned.  “Marvelous!  Say, if you knew how infernally hard it is to find even a small piece of crystal, you’d never propose such a thing!  Why, it would take years—­Mrs. Van Emmon!”

Smith also shook his head.  “Neither of you has the right idea.  The easiest way, under the circumstances, would be an electrical one.”

He paused, frowning hard; then vetoed his own plan.  “Thunder; I’m always speaking first and thinking afterward.  I never used to do it,” accusingly, “until I got in with you folks.  Anyhow, electricity won’t do; you’ve got to have practically pure elements for that, too.”

“Guess it’s up to you, doc,” said Billie.  And they all looked respectfully toward their host.

He laughed.  “You three will never learn anything.  You’ll continue to think that I’m a regular wonder about these things, but you never notice that I merely stay still and let you commit yourselves first before I say anything.  All I have to do is select the one idea remaining after you’ve disproved the rest.  Nothing to it!”

He paused.  “I’m afraid we’re reduced to the spark method.  It would take too long to procure materials pure enough for any other plan.  Friction is out of the question for such people; they haven’t the patience.  Suppose we go ahead on the flint-and-spark basis.”

They went at once into the familiar trance state.  Nightfall was approaching on the part of Sanus in which they were interested.  Smith and Van Emmon came upon Dulnop and Corrus as they were talking together.  The herdsman was saying: 

“Lad, my heart is heavy this night.”  Much of his usual vigor was absent.  “When I were passing Cunora’s field this day, some of the masters came and drove me over to her side.  I tried to get away, and one threatened to kill.  I fear me, lad, they intend to force us to marry!”

“What!” fiercely, from the younger.

Corrus laid a hand upon his arm.  “Nay, Dulnop; fear not.  I have no feeling for thy Cunora; I may marry her, but as for fathering her children—­no!”

“Suppose,” through set teeth, “suppose They should threaten to kill thee?”

“I should rather die, Dulnop, than be untrue to Rolla!”

The younger man bounded to his feet.  “Spoken like a man!  And I tell thee, neither shall I have aught to do with Rolla!  Rather death than dishonor!”

Next moment silence fell between them; and then Van Emmon and Smith noted that both men had been bluffing in what they had said.  For, sitting apart in the growing darkness, each was plainly in terror of the morrow.  Presently Corrus spoke in a low tone: 

“All the same, Dulnop, it were well for me and thee if the secret of the flowing blossom were given us this night.  I”—­he paused, abashed—­“I am not so sure of myself, Dulnop, when I hear Their accursed buzzing.  I fear—­I am afraid I might give in!”