"You mean ..."
"Surely. But keep your mouth shut." Phyllis decided that it was time to interrupt his morose preoccupation. "What's eating you, Filthy?" she inquired. "You haven't said two words since we sat down."
He returned to his surroundings with a start. "Nothing important," he lied-wishing that he could unburden himself to her. "You haven't been chatty yourself. Anything on your mind?"
"Yes," she admitted, "I've just selected the name for our son."
"Great jumping balls of fire! Aren't you being just a little premature? You know damned well we aren't ever going to have children."
"That remains to be seen."
"Hummph! What name have you picked for this hypothetical offspring?"
"Theobald-'Bold for the People,'" she answered dreamily-
"'Bold for the-' better make it Jabez."
"Jabez? What does it mean?"
"'He will bring sorrow.'"
"'He will bring sorrow!' Filthy, you're filthy!"
"I know it. Why don't you forget all this business, give that noisy nursery a miss, and team up with me?"
"Say that slowly."
"I'm suggesting matrimony."
She appeared to consider it. "Just what do you have in mind?"
"You write the ticket. Ortho-spouse, registered companion, legal mate-any contract you want."
"To what," she said slowly, "am I to attribute this sudden change of mind?"
"It isn't sudden. I've been thinking about it ever since ... ever since you tried to shoot me."
"Something's wrong here. Two minutes ago you were declaring that Theobald was impossibly hypothetical."
"Wait a minute," he said hastily. "I didn't say a word about children. That's another subject. I was talking about us."
"So? Well, understand this, Master Hamilton. When I get married, it will not be to a man who regards it as sort of a super-recreation." She turned her attention back to her dinner.
A thick silence followed for several minutes. He broke it.
"Sore at me?"
"No. Filthy, you're such a rat."
"Yeah, I know that, top. Finished?"
"Yes. Coming home with me?"
"I'd like to, but I can't tonight."
After he left her he went straight to the Hall of the Wolf. A full round-up had been ordered for that evening, no reason given but no excuses accepted. It happened also to be his first meeting since he had been promoted to the minor dignity of section leader.
The door of the clubroom stood open. A few members assembled inside were being moderately noisy and convivial, in accordance with doctrine. It was even possible that a stranger, or two, was present. Such presence was desired when nothing was going on. Later, they would be gently dismissed.
Hamilton wandered in, said hello to a couple of people, drew himself a stein of beer, and settled down to watch a dart game taking place in one end of the lounge.
Some time later, McFee bustled in, checked over the company by sight, picked up two section leaders by eye, and signalled them with a jerk of his head to get rid of the one remaining outsider. The stranger had been well lubricated; he was reluctant to leave, but presented no real problem. When he was gone and the doorway had relaxed, he said, "To business, brothers." To Hamilton he added, "You attend conference tonight, you know."
Hamilton started to acknowledge the order, when he felt a touch on his shoulder and a voice behind him. "Felix. Oh, Felix!"
He turned around, half recognizing the voice. Nevertheless, it was only his animal quickness which enabled him to cover up in time. It was Monroe-Alpha.
"I knew you were one of us," his friend said happily. "I have been wondering when-"
"Get to your section room," McFee said sternly.
"Yes, sir! See you later, Felix."
"Sure thing, Cliff," Hamilton responded heartily. He followed McFee into the council room, glad of the brief chance to get his raging thoughts in order. Cliff! Great Egg-Cliff! What in the Name of Life was he doing in this nest of vermin? Why hadn't he seen him? He knew why, of course-a member of one section was extremely unlikely to meet a member of another. Different instruction nights and so on. He cursed the whole system. But why Cliff? Cliff was the gentlest, kindest man who ever packed a gun. Why would he fall for this rot?
He considered the idea that Monroe-Alpha might be an agent provocateur, like himself-and amazed to find him there. Or perhaps not amazed-he might know Hamilton's status even though Hamilton did not know his. No, that did not make sense. Cliff didn't have the talent for the deception required. His emotions showed on his sleeve. He was as pellucid as air. He couldn't act worth a damn.
McFee was speaking. "Leaders, I have been ordered to transmit to you great news!" He paused. "The Change is upon us."
They stirred, alert, attentive. Hamilton sat up. Hell's delight! he thought, the ship about to raise and I have to be saddled with that holy fool Cliff. "Bournby!"
"Yes, sir."
"You and your section-prime communications. Here's your spool. Memorize it at once. You'll cooperate with the chief of propaganda." "Right."
"Steinwitz, your section is assigned to Power Center. Take your spool. Harrickson!"
"Yes, sir."
It went on and on, Hamilton listened with half his mind, face impassive, while he tried to think himself out of his predicament. Mordan had to be warned-that was primary!-at the earliest possible moment at which he could break clear. After that, if there was some way to save the fool from his folly, he would try it. "Hamilton!" "Yes, sir."
"Special assignment. You will-"
"Just a moment, Chief. Something has come to my attention that constitutes a danger to the movement."
"Yes?" McFee's manner was impatient and frosty. "Junior member Monroe-Alpha. I want him assigned to me."
"Impossible. Attend your orders."
"I am not being undisciplined," Hamilton stated evenly. "I happen to know this man better than any of you. He is erratic and inclined to be hysterical. He's a deviant type, but personally devoted to me. I want him where I can keep an eye on him."
McFee tapped the table impatiently. "Utterly impossible. Your zeal exceeds your sense of subordination. Don't repeat the error. Furthermore, if what you say is true, he is better off where he is-you couldn't use him. Mosely-you're his section leader. Watch him. If necessary, burn him down."
"Yes, sir."
"Now, Hamilton-" Hamilton realized with sinking heart that his attempt to find a way out for Monroe-Alpha had simply placed his friend in greater jeopardy. He was snapped to attention by McFee's succeeding words. "At the time of action, you will get yourself admitted to the Moderator for Genetics-Mordan. Burn him down at once, being particularly careful not to give him a chance to draw."
"I know his speed," Hamilton said dryly.
McFee relaxed a trifle. "You need no help on the assignment, as you are one man who can get in to see him easily-as you and I know."
"That's correct."
"So it's just as well that you haven't been assigned a section. I imagine you'll enjoy this assignment; you have a personal interest, I think." He favored Hamilton with a sly smile.
Very, very small pieces, thought Hamilton. But he managed an appropriately grim smile and answered, "There's something in what you say."
"Ah, yes! That's all, gentlemen. No one is to leave until I give the word-then by ones and twos. To your sections!"
"When do we start?" someone ventured.
"Read your spools."
Hamilton stopped McFee on the way to the lounge. "I have no spool. When is the zero time?"
"Oh, yes. As a matter of fact, it hasn't been assigned yet. Be ready from now on. Stay where you can be reached."