"Kim Rendell," she said. "I've heard of you. You are a very famous man. But we women on Khiv Five can do without men!"
"No doubt," Kim said patiently. "But has there been any word of Ades?"
"We are not interested in Ades," she said angrily. "We can do without Ades."
"But I'm interested in Ades," said Kim. "And after all, it was Ades which punished the murderers of the men of Khiv Five. A certain amount of gratitude is indicated."
"Gratitude!" said the untidy woman harshly. "We'd have been grateful if you men of Ades had turned those Sinabians over to us! We'd have killed them—every one—slowly!"
"But the point is," said Kim, "that something has happened to Ades. It might happen to Khiv Five. If we can find out what it was, we'll take steps so it won't happen again."
"Just leave us alone!" said the untidy woman fiercely. "We can get along without men or Ades or anything else. Go away!"
3
Dangerous Trip
Dona plucked at Kim's arm. He turned, seething, and went out. Outside he vented his bitterness.