Chapter 13Taithur had thought deeply before placing Proktor in charge of the establishment of a base camp. He was the youngest member of the Council, and though clever and capable he betrayed most of the faults of youth: impetuosity, thoughtlessness, stubbornness, and an impatience which verged at times on intolerance.
However, he had also the energy, imagination and courage of youth and was sufficiently perceptive to be aware of at least some of his own failings. This latter, coupled with a willingness to learn and an intuitive insight into needs and wishes of others, finally swayed Taithur in his recommendation to the Council.
Little came out in the Council meeting that Taithur had not already agonized over, and Proktor conducted himself well enough through the peculiar ordeal of havin
