Klev came through the doorway just then, hurrying as fast as his age would permit. Quietly he moved toward a vacant seat, and at once the chairs around it were empty too, Martians moving away as he advanced. They seemed to regard him with distrust, distrust and fear.
He rose and spoke, the pleading note in his voice evident even to Nick. The others had been heard in silence, but time and again Klev was interrupted by shouts of disapproval.
"He's speaking for us and at the same time warning against a mass attack on Central Camp," Susan whispered.
"They don't seem to go for his ideas," Nick commented.
At last Klev finished, and even as he sat down a dozen Martians were shouting angry protests. Merlo was foremost among them.
The presiding Martian asked a question.
Klev replied shortly and turned in his seat to watch the doorway. The excited conversation of the assembly rose from a mutter to a babble.
After a short wait another Martian hurried in and took the floor.
His address was more pantomime than speech. He raised both arms as though holding a rifle and squinted through imaginary sights. Slowly he lowered the invisible weapon and stooped as though picking up a small object from the floor.
Nick gripped Susan's arm in sudden astonishment.