"No?" Temple's tone was more than slightly skeptical. "Fortunately, however, he doesn't want you. Your technique is all wrong. Coyness and mock-modesty and stop-or-I'll-scream and playing hard to get have no appeal whatever to his psychology. What he needs--has to have--is full, ungrudging cooperation." "Aren't you taking a lot of risk in giving away such secrets?" "Not a bit. Try it. You or the sex-flaunting twins or Bev Bell or Stella the Henna. Any of you or all of you. I got there first with the most, and I'm not worried about competition." "But suppose somebody tells him just how you're playing him for a sucker?" "Tell him anything you please. He's the first man I ever loved, or anywhere near. And I'm keeping him. You know--or do you, I wonder?--what real, old-fashioned, honest-to-God love really is? The willingness--eagerness--both to give and to take? I can accept more from him, and give him more in return, than any other woman living. And I am going to." "But does _he_ love _you_?" Sandra demanded. "If he doesn't now, he will. I'll see to it that he does. But what do _you_ want him for? You don't love him. You never did and you never will." "I _don't_ want him!" Sandra stamped a foot. "I see. You just don't want _me_ to have him. Okay, do your damnedest. But I've got work to do. This has been a lovely little cat-clawing, hasn't it? Let's have another one some day, and bring your friends." * * * * * With a casual wave of her hand, Temple strolled away; and there, flashed through Sandra's mind what Hilton had said so long ago, little more than a week out from Earth: "... and Temple Bells, of course," he had said. "Don't fool yourself, chick. She's heavy artillery; and I mean _heavy_, believe me!" So he had known all about Temple Bells all this time! Nevertheless, she took the first opportunity to get Hilton alone; and, even before the first word, she forgot all about geodesic right lines and the full-cooperation psychological approach. "Aren't you the guy," she demanded, "who was laughing his head off at the idea that the Board and its propinquity could have any effect on _him_?" "Probably. More or less. What of it?" "This of it. You've fallen like a ... a _freshman_ for that ... that ... they _should_ have christened her 'Brazen' Bells!" "You're so right." "I am? On what?" "The 'Brazen'. I told you she was a potent force--a full-scale powerhouse, in sync and on the line. And I wasn't wrong." "She's a damned female Ph.D.--two or three times--and she knows all about slipsticks and isotopes and she very definitely is _not_ a cuddly little brunette. Remember?" "Sure. But what makes you think I'm in love with Temple Bells?" "What?" Sandra tried to think of one bit of evidence, but could not. "Why ... why...." She floundered, then came up with: "Why, _every_body knows it. She says so herself." "Did you ever hear her say it?"