But, although Marvin had from time to time sent to Asher Ferry some brief printed article, neither Marvin nor Jean knew of a certain exchange of telegrams which took place on the thirtieth of January, 1922. Chase Mahan, being then in San Francisco, received from Asher this message: Please inspect that laboratory which was dedicated night before last in Pasadena. Chase wired back: Inspected it several days ago. Do you want Marvin to see it? To this query he received a most satisfactory reply: Our director should by all means see it, and on his way back should consult with my architect. Chapter 85 The spring months of 1922 were the perfection of growing weather, and Jean rejoiced for the farmers, but elsewhere on her planet there was plenty of trouble to keep her determination strong. The coal strike reminded her that there is very little of anything left on earth to burn. The bloody condition of Ireland and the bloodless condition of Russia were new proofs that food is hard to get. In Germany every mother’s son who grew up devoted to the people was likely to be assassinated. That was an old story on earth, and the assassination of Dr. Walter Rathenau for making electricity and coal cheap merely confirmed it. A day or two after that death a sudden freeze killed all the raspberries on which she had been counting for next winter’s suppers. Then infusorial blight fell on all the potatoes, and she really did not see where to get money to buy potatoes. These were trivial losses, but even trivial losses sometimes affect the state of mind. July came, and for the first time in three years she once more saw the Little Pine. He had completed his high-school studies and come home for a vacation. He remained unspoiled after playing football and studying chemistry and associating with girls. Jean could not help sharing the Little Red Leaf’s pride in him. Chapter 86. Niton As July sped along she realized that she must balance her accounts, for Marvin would surely come. She was going to refuse him because life is explosive; because the struggle for existence is too intense; because in order to live men must immerse themselves in the immediate task; because food will be harder and harder to come at; because when deprived of it men are like Eskimo dogs, killing each other to secure the fresh blood and red warm meat; and finally because even when they have enough to eat they will go to war to get selfish luxuries. Perhaps when her lover arrived he would stay three or four days and argue the case. If so, she would be as steady as niton, which lasts three or four days and is radiant all the time. Though it refuses to unite with anything, it can be reduced to a rosy solid, colder than the coldest ice, but cheerful.