STERN: Gradualist methods. The Federation can afford to wait. The same gradualist methods that made the Union of Islam possible, so long ago. PAUL: I don't think the leadership of Turkey was gradualist exactly, Dr. Stem. It took thirty years after 1960, but considering the problem, that was great speed. Only a people with immense moral courage and good sense would have dared to undertake it at all. They weren't fanatics; they weren't ridden by the devil of one idea; they had to work with intelligent compromise, temperate adjustments, yielding here and sternness there and patience all the time--but once they took up the task they didn't rest or let go, and by 1990 there was a healthy union ready for full membership in the Federation. SLADE: Yes, that was speed. I expect you've given your friends here a pretty good account of Earth history? PAUL: We've tried. I don't know if we can allow ourselves more than a B-plus. The subject is too enormous, and all we had were imperfect memories. In the midst of our own work for Lucifer, which is--paramount. WRIGHT: Not even books. Captain, when you showed us over the ship, it was very difficult for my fingers not to steal a lens and a pocketful of those microtexts.... SLADE: My dear friend! Why didn't you say so? All you want. That's for your friends here, entirely. No need to take any of our library back to Earth if they can use it. WRIGHT: I--excuse me--I don't know what to say. SLADE: And by the way, Doctor, before I forget again to mention it: after you left--I think it was in 2060--they perfected a new drug which actually makes the accelerations quite bearable. I don't know too much about it. Muscular relaxation is a factor, and Nora can tell you more about it. But I understand that even for persons past the--optimum age-- WRIGHT: A moment, please.... I cannot go back to Earth, Captain Slade. You mean it with the greatest kindness but it is impossible. SLADE: Why, forgive me, I supposed--I took it for granted-- WRIGHT: My place is here. This is my work. These are my people. TEJRON: I knew--I knew-- WRIGHT: What, my dear? I don't understand. TEJRON: Oh, I should keep silent: this is for you to decide. But you've said it. You won't leave us. WRIGHT: No. No, I won't ever leave you. This is my home. SLADE: But-- SPEARMAN: Can't argue with the passion of an expatriate. The grass is always greener-- PAUL: It could be no other way, Captain, at least for Dr. Wright and me, and I'm certain my wife will say the same when she comes back. WRIGHT: In some ways, Captain, the distance between Earth and Lucifer is greater than the simple light years between our two stars.