"Right now, I'm not too popular at school. And I want to know what's going on. I want to know why Pete didn't show up to give me backing. I want to know what can be done to unscramble this mess."
Wearn shook his head slowly. "There are other schools—private schools," he said. "And we are still possessed of some——"
"Careful, Mr. Waern." Don held up a warning hand. "I don't carry the sling, but I do come from the Morek. Don't say something that might be misinterpreted. I want to see things straightened out. I didn't come here to start a feud with you."
Jasu Waern shivered a little. "But you are galactic, are you not? Surely, you are no hillman."
"I was brought up among them. Now get Pete. I want to talk to both of you."
Waern looked unhappy. But he walked across the room and pulled at a cord.
A servant came to the door.
"Tell Master Petoen," ordered Waern, "that I would like to see him in here."
The man bowed and left. Waern turned back to Don.
"You see, Mr. Michaels," he said apologetically, "we are in difficult times here. My brother——"