Summary

Chapter 7, Child-Raising on Mars – After breakfast, Sola brings John to the city plaza, where hundreds of massive chariots and elephant-like creatures are arrayed. Sola and John join the procession of chariots and heavily-armed Martian men, women, and children journey back into the desert landscape of Mars to the structure with eggs from the day before. The leader of the Martians, the chieftain, is revealed to be Jed (Chief) Lorquas Ptomel. Tars encourages John to repeat his performance of the day before, which John does. John is then allowed to watch things as they proceed. Regardless as to which Martian girl has laid which eggs, the Martian young are all instructed by anyone in the arts of speaking, walking, and war. Mars, John explains to the reader, is a dying planet, so from the earliest days, Martians are taught to survive. Martian women lay 13 eggs...