"So far as I could learn, your beetle was disabled through no fault of your own. In fact, by what these strangers tell me--" Yold nodded towards the Spider Mother and the scorpion chief--"you've proved yourself worthy indeed, over and above the customary testing. Of course, there will be the formality of a rebirth ceremony--which I have to undergo, too, so we can both do so together." Dworn couldn't speak. Once again he had to remind himself that a beetle warrior didn't weep--not even tears of joy. Then the Spider Mother spoke up, her voice brittle and metallic. "The girl will naturally be returned to us. After this business, I am going to have to take pains to restore discipline in the Family." Dworn saw Qanya's desolate face, took one step to the girl's side and put a shielding arm around her. He felt Qanya trembling, and glared at the Spider Mother's implacable face. "I won't go back!" Qanya cried vehemently. "I'll die first! I never wanted to be a spider, anyway!" "And I," growled Dworn, "won't let you take her. I won't let her go--" his face was pale, but he went on resolutely--"even if it means I can't return to my own people." The beetle chief surveyed the two young people gravely, then turned to confront the old woman. He said, "I don't see that you have any further claim on the girl. According to our customs, she too can be 'reborn'--this time into the beetle horde, as one of my people--and my son's." The head scorpion, looking on, nodded approval and grinned encouragingly at Dworn. The Spider Mother and the chief exchanged a long, stony look--on either side, the look of a ruler used to command. "It would be too bad," said Yold softly, "to mar the Peace. But my warriors are within call, and...." The Spider Mother turned away and spat. "Have it your way. Who wants weaklings in the Family!" The chief glanced sidelong at Dworn and Qanya, and saw that they were wholly absorbed in one another. With an open-handed gesture he invited the Spider Mother to follow him. "Shall we go, then," he suggested politely, "and--while the Peace still reigns--find out whether the pill-bugs' beverage is all they claim it is?" THE END