"Why did your priest leave on such a long journey, Bila? I should think he would be more concerned with the care of his flock." "The ways of the priesthood are beyond the comprehension of ordinary men. When the Gods speak to them, they obey, no matter how onerous the orders may be. If men must suffer during their absence, it is unfortunate. But it must be." "Then I'd think that your priests would see to it that someone in the village would know what to do in case of emergency." "Oh, no!" He seemed horrified at the thought. "Knowledge is for the Gods to give to the chosen ones. Common men would not be worthy of it, for it is certain that they do not have the intelligence to deal with it properly. Only the priests are wise enough to be so honored. Priests and men from the stars," he added, as an afterthought. "Well, in any event, I hope you don't need me any more...." * * * * * "But they did need you," said Cassidy. "Unfortunately, yes. Four more times in the twenty days before the return of the priest." "What were the troubles?" "Once, it was to aid in childbirth--my first adventure as a midwife," he said, remembering the event and his shame at his ignorance in the matter. He had had to take directions from the woman. "Once, a hunter had fallen in an animal trap, and broken both his legs," he continued. "And twice, it was for sickness." "The same one as this Kylano?" "I don't know. I couldn't hope to diagnose it, so I just shot them full of antibiotics, and prayed for a miracle." "You should have prayed for brains instead. But all of your sick ones recovered?" "Yes. I couldn't seem to do anything wrong, and it wasn't long before the natives were beginning to look on me as the personal representative of their Gods. It was embarrassing, the way they fawned over me." "Tell me," said Cassidy. "You said you read the regs over. Why in the name of all that's holy didn't you have the sense to follow them?" "I couldn't stand by and watch them die! I had to help them, Cassidy. Damn it, I _had_ to!" "Yeah, sure. But go on." "Well, to shorten matters, the local priest finally got back from his pilgrimage, and took up his old duties. All went well for about a week, and then another alien became ill. The priest heard about it, naturally, and went to his aid. But it seems my percentage of recoveries was better than his at its very best. They wouldn't let him even near the sick one. Instead, they sent for me." "You went?" "Of course. I didn't know the priest was back, and what else could I do?" "I shudder to think. What happened?" "The native got well, and the tribe practically pitched the priest out on his ear. He went running to his superiors, and they called a council of war. They banned the natives from the post, and threatened to cut off any who were seen with me from all priestly privileges.