"Thethingllikebest . . . lean say citizen and mean all of us. I'm no copsik and I'm not a triune. Citizens' Tree?"

The foliage tasted like Quinn Tuft in the Grad's childhood, before the drought. He lay on his back in virgin foliage and sucked contemplatively.

He became aware that Lawri was watching him from the dappled shadows. She looked cold, or just twitchy, hugging her elbows, cringing as if from a blow. He snapped, "Can't you relax? Eat some foliage."

"I did. It's good," she said without inflection.

It was irritating. "All right, what's got you worried? Nobody's ever going to call you a copsik runner. You saved our lives and everyone knows it. You're clean, fed, rested, safe, and admired. Take a break, Scientist. It's over."

Now she wouldn't meet his eyes. "Jeffer, how does this sound? There are only two London Tree citizens for at least ten thousand kiometers around. Doesn't it stand to reason that we'd . . . get along best together?"

He sat back on his haunches. Why ask him? "I suppose it does."

"Well, Mark thinks so too."

"Okay."

"He didn't have to say so. We talked a little about building huts, that's all, but he looks at me like he knows. Like, he's too polite to

broach the subject yet, but where else can I go, who else is there? Jeffer, don't make me marry a dwarf!"

"Uh . . . huh."

She turned, convulsively, to see his face. He held up a hand to stop her from speaking. "In principle, two Scientists ought to make good mates too. Does that make sense? But you watched me murder Kiance. I didn't warn him. I didn't make any speeches about copsiks and freedom and war and justice. I just killed him the first good chance I got. I'd have killed you too to get us free of that place."

She didn't nod, she didn't speak.

"You could put a harpoon in my belly while I'm sleeping. So don't push me. I have to think."

She waited. He thought. Now he knew why she irritated him with her twitchy unhappiness. He was guilty, and she had seen it. Not quite what one wanted in a mate!

Did he want a wife? He'd always thought he did, and with seven women and five men in Nameless Tuft . . . no chance for an unm~rried man to play around in such a tiny population, but he should have his choice of wives. So who?

Gavving and Minya: married. Gave, Jayan, Jinny: a unit, and the twins seemed to like it that way. Anthon, Debby, lisa might all have left mates in Carther States, and they might all be looking around . . . but Anthon didn't seem to think so, and even if Debby or lIsa were available . . . a romp might be fun, but they looked so odd~ Which left

Lawn.

He said, being nearly sure he could get away with it, "Lawri, will you forgive me for murdering Klance?"

"I notice you said murder. Not kill."