I still didn't know what all the clapping was about, and I still didn't like the raucous music, but I ignored it all and made my way toward their table, rehearsing to myself what I was going to say to Suzi. When I got nearer, the two of them, self-consciously, also came to their feet and both made with feeble applause to the extent of clapping their hands together once or twice. I said, "What goes on here?" We all sat down--with me congratulating myself that Suzi didn't object--and Suzi, her eyes shining, gushed, "Oh Jak, isn't it wonderful?" I said, "I guess so. What?" I looked around the room in irritation. "What's all the noise about? I can hardly hear ourselves talk." Alger Wilde said stiffly, "It's the new anthem, _The Solar System Forever_. Very patriotic. It was just completed by a staff of more than three hundred of the System's outstanding musicians. I understand that it's being played on every viziscreen on nine planets and twenty satellites. On order of the governments of all Solar System League members, the musicians rushed it through." "It sounds like it," I growled. At least everybody had sat down again and were eating their lunch. The stars were still in Suzi's eyes. She said softly, "It's dedicated to you, Jak." "Huh?" Alger Wilde bit out, "Why'd you think everybody was clapping? You're the hero of the System." He added, barely audibly, "They know not what they do." It was beginning to dawn on me. My mind had been so full of Suzi that I'd almost forgotten about the Centaurian fight. Suzi cast her eyes down to the table and said softly, "I'm sorry about yesterday, Jak. When I heard about your heroic challenge I realized how wrong I was." I scowled and said, "I didn't exactly challenge them, just suggested that the whole thing ought to be settled in the arena. Maybe a _Slaber_ or a Saturnian gladiator, or--" Alger said, satisfaction oozing, "But you're the Champ, Jak." And Suzi gushed, "So you'll certainly have the honor. Oh, Jak, our engagement will have to be postponed until after the fight." * * * * * There was a gleam in Wilde's eye. He said, "And _after_ the fight the marriage can take place. Only the brave deserve the fair, and; to the victor belongs the spoils, as the ancients used to say." I knew what he was thinking. If I was killed in the arena, he'd be back in the running for Suzi. I growled, "What the _kert_ do you mean by that, Wilde?" Suzi placed her hands over her ears. "Please, Jak, your language." Alger Wilde said indignantly, "Yes, what the hell is the idea talking that way before Suzi?" I said disgustedly, "I'll be a _makron_"--she covered her ears there, too--"if I understand how you two figure. I say _kert_ and you're shocked. Five seconds later Wilde says _hell_, an ancient word meaning practically the same thing, and it's all right."