cientists at the Institute: "And so,
gentlemen, our babies--who, incidentally, are really Martians--_are_
brought by storks, after all. Except in those cases where--"

"The doctor brought me in a little black bag," said Richie.

* * * * *

The boy stood silent and studied his father. He sort of remembered
what Allavarg had said, too. Things like You _mustn't ever tell_ and
_It's got to be a secret_ and _They'd only laugh at you, Richie, and
if they didn't laugh, they might believe you and try to go back home
and there just isn't any room._

"I think," said Richie, "I think I better--" He took a deep breath.
"Here, Allavarg," he called in a soft, piping voice.

Jonathan raised his head. "Just what do you think you're doing--"

There was a sound behind him, and Jonathan turned startledly.

"Shame on you," said Allavarg, coming through the broken window.

Jonathan's words dropped away in a faint gurgle.

"I'm sorry," said Richie. "Don't be dipplefit."

"It's a mess," Allavarg replied. "It's a krandoor mess!" He waved his
arm in the air over Jonathan's head. "And don't think I'm going to
forget it!" The insistent hiss of escaping gas hovered over the moving
pellet in his hand. "Jivis boy!"

Jonathan coughed suddenly. He got as far as "Now look here" and then
found that he could neither speak nor move. The gas or whatever it was
stung his eyes and burned in his throat.

"Why don't you just freeble him?" Richie asked unhappily. "You're
using up all your gladdisl! Why don't you freeble him and get me
another one?"

"Freeble, breeble," grumbled Allavarg, shoving the capsule directly
under Jonathan's nose. "Just like you youngsters, always wanting to
take the easy way out! Gundergucks don't grow on blansercots, you
know."

Jonathan felt tears start in his eyes, partly from the fumes and
partly from a growing realization that Allavarg was sacrificing
precious air for him. He tried to think. If this was gladdisl and if
this would keep a man in the state of being a Caroom, then--

"There," said Allavarg, looking unhappily at the emptied pellet. He
shook it, sniffed it and finally returned it to the container at his
side.

"I'm sorry," Richie whispered. "But he kept askin' me and askin' me."

"There, there," said Allavarg, going to the window. "Don't fret. I
know you won't do it again." He turned and looked thoughtfully at
Jonathan. He winked at Richie and then he was gone.