Werk left with the promise he would return soon. He didn’t explain why he was going, but it seemed to Morten that for the moment the boy could not endure the world of the Earthmen, which had been thrust so overwhelmingly upon him.
When they were alone Morten said to Free, “Do you think it is true, what Werk said? Do you think he speaks the mind of his people or only himself?”
“It’s true, Dad,” said Free solemnly. “When any of them speak on important matters it is the mind of the people, because, just as Werk said, they all know what everybody thinks.” He came closer and stood before Morten. “But does it matter, Dad? Maybe Werk and his people are right — for them, at least. Does it matter so much if they never write books or have cars on long, straight roads through the forest or have tel
