"I think he's got something there, Oz," said Tex. "Let's ask."
Oscar was looking very thoughtful. "I've realized for some time that our friends here were more civilized than the ones around the colonies, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it."
"What is civilization?"
"Never mind the philosophy-let's get going." Oscar unlocked the ship's outer door and spoke to a figure, waiting in what was to her bright sunlight and busy looking at the j pictures in a 1971 Saturday Evening Post. "Hey, girlie! Wouldst thou graciously conduct us to the home of thy mother?"
It was maple syrup. Both Tex and Oscar agreed. Th'wing explained quite readily that, when the supply ran low, they had made more, using the original terrestrial stuff as a sample.
Oscar went to see the city mother, taking with him a
bottle of grain alcohol salvaged from the medical supplies of the Gary. Matt and Tex had to sweat it out, for it had been agreed that Oscar did best with her nibs when not accompanied. He returned after more than two hours, looking stunned.
"What gives, Oz? What did you find out?' Matt demanded.
"It's bad news," said Tex. "I can tell from your face."
"No, it's not bad news."