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.It is an eveningstar at this time of year.Thou canst see it in daytime, too, when it liethabove the horizon. Good, thought Trevize.She s not totally ignorant of astronomy.Hesaid, Do you know that Alpha has another companion, a very small, dim onethat s much much farther away than that bright star.You can t see it withouta telescope. (He hadn t seen it himself, hadn t bothered to search for it,but the ship s computer had the information in its memory banks.)She said indifferently, We were told that in school. But now what about that one? You see those six stars in a zigzagline? Hiroko said, That is Cassiopeia. Really? said Trevize, startled. Which star? All of them.The whole zigzag.It is Cassiopeia. Why is it called that? I lack the knowledge.I know nothing of astronomy, respectedTrevize. Do you see the lowermost star in the zigzag, the one that sbrighter than the other stars? What is that? It is a star.I know not its name. But except for the two companion stars, it s the closest of allthe stars to Alpha.It is only a parsec away. Hiroko said, Sayest thou so? I know that not. Page 278 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html Might it not be the star about which Earth revolves? Hiroko looked at the star with a faint flash of interest. I knownot.I have never heard any person say so. Don t you think it might be? How can I say? None knoweth where Earth might be.I-I must leavethee, now.I will be taking my shift in the fields tomorrow morning before thebeach festival.I ll see you all there, right after lunch.Yes? Yes? Certainly, Hiroko. She left suddenly, half-running in the dark.Trevize looked afterher, then followed the others into the dimly lit cottage.He said, Can you tell whether she was lying about Earth, Bliss? Bliss shook her head. I don t think she was.She is underenormous tension, something I was not aware of until after the concert.Itexisted before you asked her about the stars. Because she gave away her flute, then? Perhaps.I can t tell. She turned to Fallom. Now, Fallom, Iwant you to go into your room.When you re ready for bed, go to the outhouse,use the potty, then wash your hands, your face, and your teeth. I would like to play the flute, Bliss. Just for a little while, andvery quietly.Do you understand,Fallom? And you must stop when I tell you to. Yes, Bliss. The three were now alone; Bliss in the one chair and the mensitting each on his cot.Bliss said, Is there any point in staying on this planet anylonger? Trevize shrugged. We never did get to discuss Earth in connectionwith the ancient instruments, and we might find something there.It might alsopay to wait for the fishing fleet to return.The men might know something thestay-at-homes don t. Veryunlikely, I think, said Bliss. Are you sure it s notHiroko s dark eyes that hold you? Trevize said impatiently, I don t understand, Bliss.What haveyou to do with what I choose to do? Why do you seem to arrogate to yourselfthe right of sitting in moral judgment on me? I m not concerned with your morals.The matter affects ourexpedition.You want to find Earth so that you can finally decide whether youare right in choosing Galaxia over Isolate worlds.I want you to so decide.You say you need to visit Earth to make the decision and you seem to beconvinced that Earth revolves about that bright star in the sky.Let us gothere, then.I admit it would be useful to have some information about itbefore we go, but it is clear to me that the information is not forthcomingPage 279 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlhere.I do not wish to remain simply because you enjoy Hiroko. Perhaps we ll leave, said Trevize. Let me think about it, andHiroko will play no part in my decision, I assure you. Pelorat said, I feel we ought to move on to Earth, if only to seewhether it is radioactive or not.I see no point in waiting longer. Are you sure it s not Bliss s dark eyes that drive you? saidTrevize, a bit spitefully.Then, almost at once, No, I take that back, Janov.I was just being childish.Still-this is a charming world, quite apart fromHiroko, and I must say that under other circumstances, I would be tempted toremain indefinitely.-Don t you think, Bliss, that Alpha destroys your theoryabout Isolates? In what way? asked Bliss. You ve been maintaining that every truly isolated world turnsdangerous and hostile. Even Comporellon, said Bliss evenly, which is rather out of themain current of Galactic activity for all that it is, in theory, an AssociatedPower of the Foundation Federation. Butnot Alpha.This world is totally isolated, but can youcomplain of their friendliness and hospitality? They feed us, clothe us,shelter us, put on festivals in our honor, urge us to stay on.What fault isthere to find with them? None, apparently.Hiroko even gives you her body. Trevize said angrily, Bliss, what bothers you about that? Shedidn t give me her body.We gave each other our bodies.It was entirelymutual, entirely pleasurable.Nor can you say that you hesitate to give yourbody as it suits you. Please, Bliss, said Pelorat. Golan is entirely right.There isno reason to object to his private pleasures. As long as they don t affect us, said Bliss obdurately. They do not affect us, said Trevize. We will leave, I assureyou.A delay to search further for information will not be long. Yet I don t trust Isolates, said Bliss, even when they comebearing gifts. Trevize flung up his arms. Reach a conclusion, then twist theevidence to fit.How like a- Don t say it, said Bliss dangerously. I am not a woman.I amGaia.It is Gaia, not I, who is uneasy. There is no reason to- And at that point there was a scratchingat the door.Trevize froze. What s that? he said, in a low voice.Bliss shrugged lightly. Open the door and see.You tell us thisis a kindly world that offers no danger. Page 280 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlNevertheless, Trevize hesitated, until a soft voice from the otherside of the door called out softly, Please.It is P It was Hiroko s voice.Trevize threw the door open.Hiroko entered quickly.Her cheeks were wet. Close the door, she gasped. What is it? asked Bliss.Hiroko clutched at Trevize. I could not stay away.I tried, but Iendured it not.Go thou, and all of you.Take the youngster with you quickly.Take the ship away-away from Alpha-while it is yet dark. But why? asked Trevize. Because else wilt thou die; and all of you. 84.THE THREE Outworlders stared frozenly at Hiroko for a long moment.Then Trevize said, Are you saying your people will kill us? Hiroko said, as the tears rolled down her cheeks, Thou artalready on the road to death, respected Trevize.And the others with you.-Longago, those of learning devised a virus, harmless to us, but deadly toOutworlders.We have been made immune. She shook Trevize s arm indistraction. Thou art infected. How? When we had our pleasure.It is one way. Trevize said, But I feel entirely well. The virus is as yet inactive.It will be made active when thefishing fleet returns.By our laws, all must decide on such a thing-even themen.All will surely decide it must be done, and we keep you here till thattime, two mornings hence.Leave now while it is yet dark and none suspects. Bliss said sharply, Why do your people do this? For our safety.We are few and have much.We do not wishOutworlders to intrude
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