"Has," Senator Stilson said in his thin, peevish tenor, "reconsidered." Enmity and hostility flared silently from the Chairman. An almost baffled look crossed his face as if the implications had finally arrived in his consciousness: here was a Senator, Senator Council, a member of--as he thought of it--his _team_, who had had the temerity to transgress his leadership. One would expect opposition from a radical like Rawlins. But from a Council...! He had always felt that Bud was one of his. The insult was compounded by heresy. "I feel," Senator Rawlins said, "that two questions require further exploration: how is it that the starmen are so ignorant of basic scientific principles; and for what reason do they insist that we reach such a momentous decision in such a limited time? To ask the Senate to vote now would force an honest man to perhaps a hasty decision. For myself, until these points are clarified, I would be very reluctant to reach any sort of an agreement with them. I want to ask this Committee to reconsider its decision, and I hope the Honorable Senator from Missouri will join with me, and that between us we can prevail upon the other gentlemen." A sincere democrat, he spoke with quiet desperation, "In order to expect the people to choose wisely, we must be sure that they are given an opportunity to receive all the pertinent facts." Bud was howling inwardly with the fury of a thwarted child. Headlines were flying away from him. His stand in the full Senate would command only one one-hundredth of the attention it would receive here. He arose, trembling with rage. Shaking a quivering finger at Senator Stilson he cried, "You have bribed Gutenleigh!" Gutenleigh looked uncomfortable. "What did they promise you, Sam?" he thundered, wondering wildly what counter promises he could make. Even Senator Stilson was shocked by Bud's violent outburst. Bud was famous for his rabid thundering against subversives, but no one had expected him to have the courage to open such hysterical fire on his Senate colleagues. Senator Stilson said, "I resent your attitude, sir!" "Gentlemen, Gentlemen," Senator Rawlins said. "A little moderation, please." "I'm for them, damn you!" Bud cried. "You're all in a conspiracy--a filthy conspiracy--against me!" "If you don't sit down, I will summon an officer and have you removed bodily from this Chamber," Senator Stilson said. They were all looking at Bud. With a great display of reluctance, he sank to his seat. He refused to look at Senator Stilson. He sulked and plotted revenge. And remembered Frank and hated everybody. The vote proceeded routinely. Three members voted to recommend that the Senate reject the starmen's offer. Senator Rawlins abstained, and Bud voted that the Senate accept it. The committee meeting broke up. Senators Klein and Stilson went out to gather up opposition Senators. They lobbied far into the night. Nor was Bud to be outdone. CHAPTER VI