"We've known for weeks that all he needed to justify his claim was a food supply. Well, by thunder, we've got a food supply! And we'll give it to him, lock, stock and barrel, to keep Eros out of the Corporation's hands! Now, step, everybody! Moira! Moira--where is that girl?" "She stayed down by the river, Pop." "Well, find her. Bobby, go tell Sam Wilkes what I just said!" Bobby scooted. * * * * * He was soaking wet when he got to the Wilkes' house. That was because he took the short-cut, which meant plunging right into the river and swimming across, clothes and all. The inspectors and their snoopy companion would have to take the long route, around the ford. Mr. Wilkes wasn't in the house when he got there. But Mrs. Wilkes was, and Ginger, and both gasped as they saw him. Mrs. Wilkes bustled forward. "Sweet stars above, child, what are you doing here? Get those clothes off; you'll catch your death of cold. Ginger--go get one of Junior's suits--" Bobby said, "There's no time for that, Mrs. Wilkes. Where's Fat Sa--I mean, where's your husband?" Ginger said, "Don't tell him, Ma. He's just here to crow because he knows we can't pass the inspection requirements--" "You--you shut up!" bellowed Bobby. "You doggone female! You don't know anything about it. Mrs. Wilkes, get your husband. Mom and Sis and the rest will be here any minute now. They're--" And he explained. His explanation sent them into a flurry of excitement; there was even deeper excitement when Sam Wilkes, hastily summoned, heard the same story repeated. For once the leathery corners of his mouth relaxed into something like a grin. He swore, and slammed a big hand on his knee. "Your old man is going to do that for us, sonny? Well, hornswoggle my jets! And to think I--Junior, go find Red. Hop it!" "Red's not around, Pa. He went toward the river." "Confound him! Just when we need him most. Well--I'll go meet the confounded rascals, stall them as long as I can. And look here, you--what's your name?" "Bobby." "I won't forget this, Bobby! Not by a jugfull. If I hadn't been such a stubborn, pigheaded old hound, I'd have dickered with your Pa long afore this. There's plenty of room on Eros for two families. Or two dozen!" Then followed a half hour of labor so swift that it made all the accomplishments of the past months seem snail-like by comparison. Mom and Eleanor arrived, bearing armloads of canned goods and preserves; Grampaw and Dick brought the hauler across the river on a raft, and piled high on the hauler were fresh vegetables that gorged the never-used Wilkes containers to repletion. It was fast work, but efficient. And when, about three-quarters of an Earth hour later, Wilkes came from the lower acreage accompanied by the two officers and the Corporation investigator, the job was finished, and a tired but glowing two-family group awaited him.