“We aren’t going to let you and your idealism spoil our only chance to save the race!” Sorplee told him pugnaciously; and Somat gave his word.  At first he hoped that the nine might fall out among themselves when it came to actually enslaving the Sanusians; but he soon concluded that, if there was any difference of opinion, the aristocratic element would take charge of half the captives, while Sorplee’s friends commandeered the rest.  The outlook was pretty black for Rolla’s friends; yet there was nothing whatever to do about it.

Among the four people on the earth, however, the thing was being discussed even more hotly.  Van Emmon found himself enthusiastically backing Somat, the liberal-minded one.

“He’s got the right idea,” declared the geologist.  “Let the Sanusians come over of their own free will!  Let the law of competition show what it can do!  Dandy experiment!”

Smith could not help but put in:  “Perhaps it’s Deltos and Sorplee who are right, Van.  These Sanusians are mere aborigines.  They wouldn’t understand democratic methods.”

“No?” politely, from the doctor.  “Now, from what I’ve seen of Rolla, I’ll say she’s a perfect example of ‘live-and-let-live.’  Nothing either subservient or autocratic in her relations with other people.  Genuinely democratic, Smith.”

“Meanwhile,” remarked Billie, with exaggerated nonchalance, “meanwhile, what about the bees?  Are they going to be permitted to show their superiority or not?”

Van Emmon took this to be aimed at him.  “Of course not!  We can’t allow a race of human beings to be dominated forever by insects!

“I say, let’s get together and put Rolla wise to what Deltos and Sorplee are framing up!  We can do it, if we concentrate upon the same thought at the right time!”

Smith did not commit himself.  “I don’t care much either way,” he decided.  “Go ahead if you want to”—­meaning Van Emmon and the doctor—­“I don’t want to butt in.”

“Don’t need you,” growled the geologist.  “Two of us is enough.”

“Is that so?” sarcastically, from Billie.  “Well, it’ll take more than two of you to get it over to Rolla!”

“What do you mean?” hotly.

“I mean,” with deliberation,—­“that if you and the doctor try to interfere I’ll break up our circle here!” They stared at her incredulously.  “I sure will!  I’m not going to lend my mental influence for any such purpose!”

“My dear,” protested the doctor gently, “you know how it is:  the combined efforts of the four of us is required in order to keep in touch with Sanus.  Surely you would not—­”

“Oh, yes, I would!” Billie was earnestness itself.  “Mr. Van Emmon was so good as to blame me for what I did in that Capellette mix-up; now, if you please, I’m going to see to it that this one, anyhow, works itself out without our interference!

“Well, I’ll be darned!” The geologist looked again, to make sure it was really his wife who had been talking thus.  “I’m mighty glad to know that you’re not intending to warn Supreme, anyhow!”