"Darned if it isn't the first time I've ever resented being pawed," said Gloria in a matter-of-fact tone, as if it were her hair-do rather than her virtue that was the subject of discussion. "So I grabbed a hand, hung the arm over my shoulder with the inside upward, and hip-tossed the big oaf over the railing into that silly little fish pond." "Gloria!" exploded her mother. "Poor Bertram!" exclaimed his mother. Scholar Ross sighed. "These things often go awry at first. Bertram shouldn't have taken a double dose of his medication. And I'd guess that Gloria hasn't been meticulous about hers, either. Now--" He was interrupted by the arrival of Bertram Harrison, who looked as if he'd just waded home across a mud flat at low tide. He stepped toward Gloria purposefully; the girl crouched in a judo position and said, "Want some more? Come and get it!" "Now wait a moment," said Scholar Ross. "Gloria, where did you ever learn such brutal, belligerent tactics?" * * * * * Gloria faced him, but kept one eye on Bertram. "Out of a book--where else in this calm old world?" The scholar said, "You see, Miss Hanford, the results of your outrageous behavior? You've committed an act of physical violence. You've--" The girl gave one sharp bark of laughter. "Who started it with whose caveman technique?" "I think," said Scholar Ross to the four parents, "that this meeting should be resumed at a later date. Bertram must _not_ overdose himself in a misguided effort to make up for omitted medication. Gloria must _not_ avoid hers--and, Mrs. Hanford, you'll not only have to watch closely to see that she does take her pills; you'll also have to make sure that Gloria doesn't counteract them by surreptitiously acquiring some agitators to neutralize the tranquilizers." "And suppose I call the whole thing off?" demanded Gloria. "Suppose I don't agree to share bed and board with this souped-up sardine?" The room grew quieter until the background sounds were gone and from the patio came the faint, sweet strains of romantic music: Program R-147. Finally Scholar Ross said, "Miss Hanford, we cannot force you to do anything, but we can make your life extremely uncomfortable if you do not comply with what we believe to be best for society. You will find--if you care to look it up--that there is a drastic shortage of eligible young women on the planet Eden, Tau Ceti." "You mean--migrate--to the _colony_?" "I mean just that." Gloria Hanford's face went white. She understood that if Scholar Ross decreed Eden, Tau Ceti, for her, then she would end up on Eden, Tau Ceti, and it made no difference whether by force, coercion, or gentle persuasion. Mrs. Hanford took a step forward and opened her mouth to speak. But before she could protest, her husband put out a hand and stopped her. His act was an admission that not money, position, nor logic would overrule such a decision.