"Poor Tantalus," said Olduk.
He seized the refilled beaker, and drained it at a single gulp.
"Shall Mars be Tantalus? Or shall Earth be Tantalus?"
"Mars is Tantalus," a whisper floated from the gallery.
The laughter came again, a little insolently this time.
The Japanese Sectional governor rose, and said, sucking in his breath, "Why does not the thirsty Olduk speak, instead of drinking all the Speaker's water?"
This time the laughter was more open. The speaker rapped with his gavel, and order was restored.
Olduk said, "There is more water on Earth than five billion Olduks could drink.
"But I will speak, as I have spoken years in and years over.