"Of what difference is it?" asked the councilor named Baranon. "If there is no dissenting voice, if life thrives, if knowledge and science advance, what difference does it make whether we live under one social order or any other? If thievery and wrongdoing, for instance, could support a system of social importance, and the entire population lives under that code and thrives, of what necessity is it to change?" "Any social order will pyramid," said Guy. "Either up or down." "Granted. But if all are prepared to withstand the ravages of their neighbors, and are eternally prepared to live under constant strife, no man will have his rights trod upon." "But what good is this eternal wandering? This everlasting eye upon the constantly receding horizon? This never ending search for the proper place to stop in order that this theoretical galactic civilization may start? At Ertene's state of progress, one place will be as good as any other," said Guy. "Precisely, except that some places are definitely less desirable. Recall, Guy, that Ertene needs nothing." "I dispute that. Ertene needs the contact with the outside worlds." "No." "You are in the position of a recluse who loves his seclusion." "Certainly." "Then you are in no position to appreciate any other form of social order." "We care for no other social order." "I mentioned to Charalas that in my eyes, you are wrong. That I am being asked to prescribe for a patient who will not die for lack of my prescription. I can not even say that the patient will benefit directly. My belief is as good as yours. I believe that Ertene is suffering because of her seclusion and that her peoples will advance more swiftly with commerce between the planets--and once again in interstellar space, Ertene will have no planets with which to conduct trade." "And Sol, like complex society, will never miss the recluse. Let the hermit live in his cave, he is neither hindering nor helping civilization." "Indirectly, the hermit hinders. He excites curiosity and the wonder if a hermit's existence might not be desirable and thus diverts other thinkers to seclusion." "But if the hermit withdraws alone and unnoticed, no one will know of the hermitage, and then no one will wonder." "But _I_ know, and though no one else in the Solar System knows, I am trying to bring you into our society. I have the desire of brotherhood, the gregarious instinct that wants to be friend with all men. It annoys me--as it annoys all men--to see one of us alone and unloved by his fellows. I have a burning desire to have Ertene as a twin world with Terra." "But Ertene likes her itinerant existence. The fires that burn beyond the horizon are interesting. Also," smiled Terokar, "the grass is greener over there."