He said, "Let me get it straight, Joe College. You've made a bet. You're going to get a chance at a girl, or such chance as you can make of it, by writing a story she likes and maybe selling it-and now you want to win the bet and cheat the girl by having me write the story for you. Is that the way it is?"

"No, sir," said Peterborough, urgently, "that's not the way it is. I'll write it. I just want help with the motive."

"And except for that, you'll write it," said Rubin. "How about having me dictate the story to you. You can still write it. You can copy it out in your own handwriting."

"That's not the same at all."

' 'Yes, it is, young man; and you can stop right there. Either write the story yourself or tell the girl you can't."

Milton Peterborough looked about helplessly.

Trumbull said, ' 'Damn it, Manny, why so much on the high horse? I've heard you say a million times that ideas are a dime a dozen; that it's the writing that's hard. Give him an idea, then; he'll still have the hard part to do."

"I won't," said Rubin, pushing himself away from the table and crossing his arms. "If the rest of you have an atrophied sense of ethics, go ahead and give him ideas-if you know how."

Trumbull said, "All right, I can settle this by fiat since I'm the host, but I'll throw it open to a vote. How many favor helping the kid if we can?"

He held up his hand, and so did Gonzalo and Drake.

Avalon cleared his throat a little uncertainly. "I'm afraid I've got to side with Manny. It would be cheating the girl," he said.

Halsted said, "As a teacher, I've got to disapprove of outside help on a test."

"Tie vote," said Rubin. "What are you going to do, Tom?"

Trumbull said, "We haven't all voted. Henry is a Black Widower and his vote will break the tie.-Henry?"

Henry paused a brief moment. "My honorary position, sir, scarcely gives me the right to-"