Carlot said, "He could get out later than that. Rather, my cousin Grag says they treat you like a copsik in Basic, but after that you're supposed to think you're better than the citizens. They do think they're better than us, and they don't take just anyone. When you're ready to leave, just do something wrong. Or get sick and stay sick. Tree dwellers do get sick in the Clump. They'll bounce you out."

"You think I should do this?"

She shrugged unhappily. "Whatever you want."

Jeffer said, "'I'd really like to get him into the Library."

Booce shook his head. "No dwarf gets beyond Guardian unless he was born an officer, and even then . . . well, Wayne Mickl is officer and dwarf. They need him as a Guardian, so he'll never use his higher rank. Guardian is the lowest rank that can reach the Library, but they can't use it because they aren't taught to read. And you wouldn't be a Guardian for years, Rather."

Jeffer jumped on it. "But he could reach the Library. And Rather can read, and I can teach him how to use a CARM keyboard!"

Rather was feeling trapped. He knew how to talk to Jeffer the Scientist, but how could you argue with a door?

"I hate to pass up the chance," Clave said. "Rather, you're reluctant. How do the rest of you feel? Debby?"

"It feels like we're selling him as a copsik. I'm against it."

Thank you, Debby!

Clave stared at her. Then: "Rather, does it feel like that? I wouldn't do that. We're just talking now-"

"They want his loyalty, stet, Booce? They've been doing this for going on four hundred years," Debby said. "Maybe they can get his loyalty-"

Clave snapped, "Treefodder, Debby. London Tree was keeping copsiks for about that long. When the chance came to bust loose, they did it!"

"Not all of them, Clave!"

". . . Uh-huh. Booce?"

Booce said, "We're talking about power. Navy power, and it cuts two ways. If Rather was Navy, the Serjents would see a certain friendliness emerge. I'd love to put a son in the Navy."

"Carlot?"

She spoke to Rather, not Clave. "If you can stand it. Remember what I said about Basic. They worked Grag's tail off... hey. You're stronger than Grag. You lived in a tree. You just might give them a shock."

"We know you can fit a silver suit," Booce added. "Even Bosun Murphy doesn't know that."

"I'm scared."

Clave just nodded, but Jeffer snarled like static. "Oh, Rather! We're here already! Back in Citizens Tree, that was the time to be scared." Pause. "What are you scared of?"

"It's all too strange." Rather was suddenly, unbearably homesick. This wooden house, all angles-

"It'll keep being strange. Nobody fooled you on that." "Scientist, I came here looking for strange. I wouldn't be here if it was going to be just like Citizens Tree-"

"Then-"