"To save a culture, Bradley," said Montgomery, who had watched the brutal display with admiration, "you need strength, not delicacy or feeling. That man shall be king of the Quxas."
He ran after Ratakka.
The members of the outpost staff looked at Bill in dismay. He shrugged sadly and walked out of the headquarters hut. At the doorway, Adlaa was waiting for him with the same old plea.
"Play ball?" he begged. "More play ball, Billbrad?"
In his despondent mood, Bill did not care.
"All right. I'll throw the ball to you and you throw it back to me."
"Quxas not do that."
"It's just as much fun to throw the ball in one direction as in any other direction," Bill explained patiently. "Unless you throw it back, forget it—no play ball."
Adlaa thought seriously. "Hunky dokey. Want play ball."
They were tossing it back and forth in the middle of a cheering group when a half-track passed, taking Montgomery, Candy and Ratakka to the main camp. The look that the girl gave Bill was disdainful.