"From Japan and India comes word that the President's message touched off a new wave of suicides.... "The message was brief and, in the view of his party's leaders, courageous. He told Congress he has ordered abandonment of the Moon stations. He also has ordered immediate dismantlement of all rocket-launching installations, the closing of rocket-building yards, and the complete cessation of all Space research. He has turned back to the General Treasury the last nineteen billion dollars earmarked for the Space Program. We give you this recording--" President Austin's voice came on, precise, cool: "My decision, believe me, was most difficult. The destruction of a long-cherished dream can never be easy. But within recent years, it has become increasingly clear to our leading scientists that man can never reach the stars. "For better or worse, the ten billion of us humans who had hoped to find a solution for our population problems in Outer Space must remain chained to this old and tired planet. "I say, it is old and tired. But let us remember, too, that for six thousand years of recorded history this Earth of ours has made a pretty good home. With Thomas Jefferson, I believe that our world belongs to the living and not to the dead. I do not, I will not, give up hope. "Thank you and God bless you." For a moment the silence in the car was insufferable. Then Hackett said gruffly: "We'd best get out now." * * * * * Justin heard Doris' tortured sobbing long before he reached the top flight. Trying to hurry, his legs buckled. The long tramp across George Washington Bridge, the nine miles down the west face of Manhattan; the skirting of hysterical, shouting mobs; the senseless crushing to death of women under their feet ... no wonder he was exhausted. And there was Austin's speech. At Times Square, the mob had hanged him in effigy and wrecked his campaign headquarters. It was there, in the red glare of a burning building, that Hackett reached his decision. "Okay," he'd said. "I'm still sore as hell with Austin, but we'll go along. I'll call McPhail and the boys tomorrow. This is only providing, of course, that Doris turns out all right." * * * * * Justin reached his landing and swung into the corridor. Ahead, a door opened and the midwife flitted out. Doris was shrieking now. It tore at his heart. As he reached his door, the shrieking stopped. Doris whimpered: "It's a dwarf, I tell you! Oh Justin, how could you?" Justin nodded at the midwife. Her answering nod was assuring. "Rotten I'm late." He crossed to his table. From a drawer he procured a bottle, poured green fluid into a glass, stepped to the bed, held it to Doris' lips. Her eyes were wide and frightened. "Drink," ordered Justin. "Drink, damn it, I love you." Only when the sedative calmed her did he step to the basket and peer in. Slowly, and with pride and great tenderness, he smiled. "He's perfect."