was still mildly curious about Manning. "I have not seen many Terrans here. Are you on a business trip?"

Even as he was speaking, Manning decided to answer with part of the truth. He believed that he had convinced the Acruxian that he was a fairly ordinary Terran; now it was time to let him know that even so he might be an enemy.

"In a way," Manning said. "I'm here for the elections. As an observer—although I don't suppose there will be much to observe."

"An observer, eh? But not to interfere, I hope. I believe that is illegal."

"I wouldn't think of interfering," Manning said. "I shall probably sit on the sidelines and hope that the best man wins."

"Inasmuch as I am the only remaining candidate in the Senatorial race," the Acruxian said, and his amusement was evident in the agitation of his eye-stalks, "I believe the identity of the best—er—man is a foregone conclusion."

"Maybe," Manning said. "But there's an old Terran proverb—which I just invented—that says there's many an obstacle between the loot and the tentacle. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to devote more of my time to this young lady."

Pulling Velmar Shonda with him, Manning Draco walked away, conscious that the Acruxian was watching him with renewed interest.

"I salute your going away," Dtilla Raishelle called after him.[6]

[6] This was only an approximate translation of the Acruxian expression Dtilla had in mind. In the original, it was one of those double-meaning phrases so common to Acrux in which Dtilla was saying goodby and at the same time implying that Manning was leaving because he recognized his own inferior status. Dr. Homer Aybar, who has done the only Dictionary of Acruxian Idioms, speaks of such phrases as "the insult elegant."

As they left the Acruxian, Xelia Zon joined another group of Regulusians, while Manning and Velmar walked on and sat down beneath one of the umbrella-like shrubs.

"You shouldn't have been so hard on Dtilla," Velmar said. "He's really a fascinating creature and terribly brilliant and talented."

"I don't doubt it," Manning said. "Why are you defending him? Are you his girl friend?"

"Goodness, no," Velmar Shonda said, laughing. "I admire creatures like Dtilla and I confess I find his mind 

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