"Meanwhile," remarked Billie, with exaggerated nonchalance, "meanwhile, what about the bees? Are they going to be permitted to show their superiority or not?"
Van Emmon took this to be aimed at him. "Of course not! We can't allow a race of human beings to be dominated forever by insects!
"I say, let's get together and put Rolla wise to what Deltos and Sorplee are framing up! We can do it, if we concentrate upon the same thought at the right time!"
Smith did not commit himself. "I don't care much either way," he decided. "Go ahead if you want to"—meaning Van Emmon and the doctor—"I don't want to butt in."
"Don't need you," growled the geologist. "Two of us is enough."
"Is that so?" sarcastically, from Billie. "Well, it'll take more than two of you to get it over to Rolla!"
"What do you mean?" hotly.
"I mean," with deliberation,—"that if you and the doctor try to interfere I'll break up our circle here!" They stared at her incredulously. "I sure will! I'm not going to lend my mental influence for any such purpose!"
"My dear," protested the doctor gently, "you know how it is: the combined efforts of the four of us is required in order to keep in touch with Sanus. Surely you would not—"
"Oh, yes, I would!" Billie was earnestness itself. "Mr. Van Emmon was so good as to blame me for what I did in that Capellette mix-up; now, if you please, I'm going to see to it that this one, anyhow, works itself out without our interference!