eved that somebody had been falsely
informed that the emperor would visit the plant that day. "These great
and frightening changes will probably turn out to be a new fad in
abstract sculpture. Any change frightens most people."

They talked more about mediums, and then about aircars and aircar
racing, and about the Emperor's Cup race that was to be flown in a
month. The communications screen began flashing and buzzing, and after
he had silenced it with the busy-button for the third time, Rodrik said
that it was time for him to go, came around to gather up Snooks, and
went out, saying that he'd be home in time for the banquet. The screen
began to flash again as he went out.

* * * * *

It was Prince Ganzay, the Prime Minister. He looked as though he had a
persistent low-level toothache, but that was his ordinary expression.

"Sorry to bother Your Majesty. It's about these chiefs-of-state. Count
Gadvan, the Chamberlain, appealed to me, and I feel I should ask your
advice. It's the matter of precedence."

"Well, we have a fixed rule on that. Which one arrived first?"

"Why, the Adityan, but it seems King Ranulf insists that he's entitled
to precedence, or, rather, his Lord Marshal does. This Lord Koreff
insists that his king is not going to yield precedence to a commoner."

[Illustration]

"Then he can go home to Durendal!" He felt himself growing angry--all
the little angers of the morning were focusing on one spot. He forced
the harshness out of his voice. "At a court function, somebody has to go
first, and our rule is order of arrival at the Palace. That rule was
established to avoid violating the principle of equality to all
civilized peoples and all planetary governments. We're not going to set
it aside for the King of Durendal, or anybody else."

Prince Ganzay nodded. Some of the toothache expression had gone out of
his face, now that he had been relieved of the decision.

"Of course, Your Majesty." He brightened a little. "Do you think we
might compromise? Alternate the precedence, I mean?"

"Only if this First Citizen Yaggo consents. If he does, it would be a
good idea."

"I'll talk to him, sir." The toothache expression came back. "Another
thing, Your Majesty. They've both been invited to attend the Plenary
Session, this afternoon."

"Well, no trouble there; they can enter by different doors and sit in
visitors' boxes at opposite ends of the hall."

"Well, sir, I was