re it? What becomes of the class of
scientists on Earth when the Lab is abandoned?"

Wilkins stood abruptly, his hands shoved part way into his pockets and
his lower jaw extended tensely. "I don't believe that's part of this
question," he said. "It is not just we scientists who are to share the
benefits of the Rykes. It is Mankind. At this time we have no right to
consider mere personal concerns. We would betray our whole calling--our
very humanity--if we thought for one moment of standing in the way of
this development because of our personal concern over economic and
professional problems. There has never been a time when a true scientist
would not put aside his personal concerns for the good of all."

Hockley waited, half expecting somebody to start clapping. No one did,
but there were glances of self-righteous approval in Wilkins' direction.
The biologist straightened the sleeves of his coat with a smug gesture
and awaited Hockley's rebuttal.

"_We_ are Mankind," Hockley said finally. "You and I are as much a part
of humanity as that bus load of punch machine clerks and store managers
passing on the street outside. If we betray ourselves we have betrayed
humanity.

"This is not a sudden thing. It is the end point of a trend which has
gone on for a long time. It began with our first contacts beyond the
galaxy, when we realized there were peoples far in advance of us in
science and economy. We have been feeding on them ever since. Our own
developments have shrunk in direct proportion. For a long time we've
been on the verge of becoming intellectual parasites in the Universe.
Acceptance of the Ryke offer will be the final step in that direction."

Instantly, almost every other man in the room was talking at once.
Hockley smiled faintly until the angry voices subsided. Then Silvers
cleared his throat gently. He placed his glass beside the bottles on the
table with a precise motion. "I am sure," he said, "that a moment's
thought will convince you that you do not mean what you have just said.

"Consider the position of pupil and teacher. One of Man's greatest
failings is his predilection for assuming always the position of teacher
and eschewing that of pupil. There is also the question of humility,
intellectual humility. We scientists have always boasted of our
readiness to set aside one so-called truth and accept another with more
valid supporting evidence.

"Since our first contact with other galactic civilizatio