Senator Stilson refused to acknowledge that Bud was there.
"Look, Eddy, boy, don't act like that. Listen, I was thinking this over last night, and I think it's only right...."
"The Socialists have gotten to you, Bud. That's all there is to say."
Bud swallowed in shocked disbelief. "Oh, now...." More than anything else in the world Bud wanted to refute this slander. Desperation gripped him: the socialists have gotten to you! No! God damn you! Take that back, you son of a bitch! His hands clenched.
He swallowed again, stiffly, with difficulty. Relax. For the love of God, relax. "Oh, now...."
Senator Stilson walked away.
Bud sat down weakly. I'll show him, he thought. I'll.... I'll.... It was frightening to have Senator Stilson call you a Socialist.
Bud tried not to think about Frank's face ... Frank's threats had nothing to do with him changing his mind. A man can change his mind. That he had changed his mind seemed to Bud a measure of his honesty and fairness. It was nothing less than that.
One of the other starmen whispered to Herb: "That one's changed sides."
Herb nodded. The Senators were beginning to respond to pressure from their constituents. But even as the tension was sinking, even as elation rose, a second emotion swept through him. It was not enough to deceive those in this room. Now he must also lie to innocent watching millions all over the planet. His fists clenched. He hated Bud.