“But, Jacob, at this rate--” “What will the whole thing cost? My present estimate is twelve to fifteen thousand.” Sue flushed with something near anger. “This is new, Jacob! You said three or four thousand.” He shrugged his shoulders. His face was impassive. “It was as new to me as to you. The situation is growing. We must grow with it. We've got a big idea. It has all our ideals in it, and it's going to be a practical success, besides. It's going to get across, Sue. We'll all make money. Real money. It'll seem queer.” Sue, eyes wide, was searching that mask of a face. “But here's the difficulty. Peter isn't strong enough to swing it. Within another week we'll be past his limit--and we can't stop. _He_ can't stop. Don't you see?” She was pressing her hands against her temples. “Yes,” she replied, in a daze, “I see.” “Well, now.” He found a cigarette on the tabouret; lighted it, squared around. “The Interstellar people aren't fools. They know we're stuck. They've made us an offer.” “For the control?” He nodded. “For the control, yes. But they leave us an interest. They'd have to or pay us good big salaries. You see, they're in, too. It means some sacrifice for us, but--oh, well, after all, 't means that the Nature Film has a value. They'll finance it and undertake the distribution. There's where we might have come a cropper anyway--the distribution. I've just begun to see that. You keep learning.” She was trying to think. Even succeeding after a little. “Jacob,” she said, very quiet, “why do you bring this to me?” He spread his hands. “This is business, now. I'll be brutal.” She nodded, lips compressed. “You and Peter--you're to be married, the minute we get the picture done, I suppose.” “But that--” He waved at the flowers, stared grimly at the huge box of candy. “Peter's an engaged man, an idiot. He's living in 1880. I'm the man who offered you love with freedom. Don't you realize that the time has come when Peter and I can't talk. It's the truth, Sue. You know it. You're the only human link between us. Therefore, I'm talking to you.” He waited for her to reply; then as she was still, added this quite dispassionately: “Better watch Peter, Sue. He's not standing up very well under the strain. I don't believe he's used to taking chances. Of course, when a nervous cautious man does decide to plunge--” She interrupted him. “I take it you're planning to go ahead, regardless, Jacob.” “Of course.” he shrugged his shoulders. “I've told you--we can't stop. Peter least of all. It's pure luck to us that the Interstellar folks can't stop either.” “You mean--if they could--we'd...” “Fail? Certainly. Smash.” Sue felt his strength; found herself admiring him, as she had admired him in the past--coldly, with her mind only. “I will not go to him as your messenger,” she said, again partly angry. “All right--if you won't! Call him--” He waved toward the telephone. “Is he home now?” She nodded.