A soft hand trembled on his shoulder. He turned, thinking Ina had come back. But it was Thela Draper.
"I heard," she said, her voice strained but low. "I want you to know Ina is wrong. If Father's company has been breaking the laws I want it known. I know Father would do nothing wrong."
"You wanted to kill us when we first landed," accused Jay.
"But I thought you were uncontrolled robots—not men!"
"Lucky Ina didn't agree with you," grunted Jay wearily.
"Jay," cried the girl, her eyes moist, "please believe me. I have regretted saying what I did every day we have been marooned here. Animat or man, you are worth a hundred ordinary men."
"Save your flattery for those who want it," said Jay gruffly. "You're not fooling me. Ina knows what you are. Get back to bed."
Thela's eyes flashed. "I hate Ina. She's cruel and scheming. She's only using you!"
Jay pushed the girl away back toward the damp heap of hastily gathered leaves and brush where she had been sleeping. He heard her sobbing for several minutes before she again dropped off.
And the pale gray light outside strengthened....