Mars wouldn't get into it. Oh, no! Mars didn't need colonies or prestige. When you have a navy like the Martian Matriarchal Fleet you don't need colonies or prestige. You just sit tight and sell the scrappers your second-rate equipment at premium prices. At his first official reception he stood nervously among the ladies of the court. He had just received news from the Earth diplomatic colony that Venus had replied to Earth with a note just as stiff, charging that Earth was impeaching the authority of the Venusian Foreign Office with respect to its planetary jurisdiction. In plain language that meant: "Our army is bigger and better than yours. Knock this chip off--if you dare!" One of the elegant ladies of the Matriarchal court sidled up to him. "We were presented to each other when you landed," she said in French. "Of course," he said delightedly. "I remember you perfectly!" But all Martians still looked alike to him. "I was wondering, Mr. Weems, whether you would care to attend a party I'm giving tomorrow evening. I feel there would be features extremely entertaining to you." "Delighted, Madame!" He beckoned over Dr. Carewe. "Your social secretary?" asked the Martian lady. "I'll give her the details." Then the Karfiness entered regally and all the ladies of the court twiddled their curtailed chelae with deep veneration as she folded up in a basket-like affair. "Mr. Weems," she said graciously. He advanced and bowed, Earth fashion, for all of his encumbering furs. "Mr. Weems, we are delighted to see you here. Such a refreshing change from those slimy little Venusians!" Her English was perfect, though lispy. "And I, Madame, am delighted to attend. If there is any message I can take back to Earth from you--any word of friendship, you have only to say it." She regarded him amiably. "The people of Earth know well that the people of Mars are wholly committed to a policy of amicable industrial cooperation. Nothing will please me more than to reassure my friends of the third planet that there is no end of this policy in sight." What did that mean? wondered Weems. Was she playing with him? "I trust," he said, "that you are wholeheartedly working in the interests of peace among the planets?" "So I have said," she replied simply. "So I shall always say." Incredible! Did she take him for an imbecile? Or--or--? "Thank you for this kind assurance," he said, bowing again and retiring. When he had cornered Dr. Carewe he said agitatedly: "I don't get it at all. I simply don't understand. Is she lying into my teeth? The least she could have done would have been to turn aside the questions. I never dreamed I'd get an answer at a time like this!"