Dan said, "What's wrong?"
"Well," said Kielgaard, "you see, you're a planetary hero for settling that business with Trans-Space. Also, you have—let's see"—he took out a slip of paper—"the equivalent of around six hundred thousand dollars spending money for cleaning out those apes, plus—I don't know how to translate this—six thousand mating credits. They have a weird system for romance, and these credits—"
Dan grinned. "Envious?"
"It isn't that," said Kielgaard. "I'm thinking how I'd feel in your place. These Truthians don't have any give in their system. Right's right, and wrong's wrong, and they hand out rewards and punishments irrespective of persons."
There was a sharp rap at the door.
Dan tried to sit up, but he was still too weak.
Kielgaard said sadly, "I tried to reason with them, but I might as well have talked to a wall."
"Listen," said Dan, becoming alarmed. "What's wrong?"
"I don't have the heart to tell you," said Kielgaard.