Davey had struggled forward on his crutches. He said, "But how on earth could you have lived? That strangling rope around your neck—"
"I suppose this is Davey," Joe said.
"That's right," Biddy assured him. "We were out looking for you."
"As a matter of fact, Davey, the rope didn't hurt me at all. It was something else. I was knocked out completely by the chaotic vibrations flowing from the crowd that hung me to that tree. I'd have come around soon."
"You mean they—lynched you?"
"If that's the term."
The young man who had spoken would not be put off. He was respectful but insistent as he said, "We threw out the power block. It has been in effect for almost an hour. The time has come for you to speak and then we must take off."
For some reason he had spoken in English and Joe answered in kind. "All right. Let's get it over with."
Another of the young men said, "You don't seem very optimistic about it."
Joe's face was grave. "I'm not. I've learned a few things since I set down here." He turned to Biddy and Davey. "Would you like to come inside?"