"Of course. What's wrong with giving them a few _polins_ now and then? Or a _dopolin_ or two when they have a baby or a wedding?" "Nothing wrong with it, in itself. But they don't spend anything. We supply their food and clothing; nothing else we have seems to appeal to them. The money goes out of circulation. It's estimated that half the money in the Galaxy is being hoarded by slaves." "What? That's impossible. Just from those small tips?" "Small tips, but day after day; year after year. Add up some time what you've given and multiply by the number who've been doing it." "Then that's behind our economic troubles. A currency shortage. Can we take it away from them?" "Of course not. Besides being unethical, it would turn them against us. They wouldn't understand." "Then we'll abolish tipping." "Too late. What we need is an ethical way of getting back that currency." A new member spoke: "I understand that on Earth these slaves were often addicted to alcohol, gambling and various alkaloids. Perhaps we could introduce these items, under government control, of course--" He stopped. Eight pair of eyes were blazing at him. "You're new here," the chairman said. "If you ever make another suggestion like that--" They pondered. The chairman fingered some papers. "Here's a suggestion. The slaves have been petitioning for the right to own land. It seems to be the only thing they'll spend their money for." "Impossible!" "But maybe--" "We could limit the holdings." "And have the land subject to condemnation by the government at a fair price." The chairman called for order. "Let's argue this out. Remember the slaves will need time to work their land. Since their work day is down to nine hours, we'll have to arrange something." * * * * * Jean had been complaining about the lumps in the mattress. When Laurent took them out, there was enough in galactic currency to buy a piece of land in his name and hers, plus a plot for each of the children, and a new mattress as well. Sam was suspicious. "They're out to get what little we've been able to save, Laurent. They can take the land anytime--for what they call a fair price. Fair! Fine chance they'll be fair about it." But Laurent kept the land and was even able to buy a piece for each grandchild, although they arrived faster and faster as his own large family grew up and married. One day Jean called him to a new house at the edge of the widely expanded center to see the latest arrival. Laurent poked a finger at the squalling creature. "So I'm another grandpa. Which one this?" "This time you're a great-grandpa, Frenchy. This is Laurent 4th." "You mean we gettin' that old? By damn! Well, I'm buy him a piece of land, too. So much new building, this land be worth plenty when he grows up."