Children of Tomorrow Read Free

good-looking blond boy, who had stopped a few feet away and was watching the interchange with a manner that had a firmness in it that yet suspended immediate judgement.
    She said, ‘Lee, I don’t think Mike should be allowed to hit Bud.’
    Before Lee could answer, Mike said in an outraged tone, ‘Susan, before you jump to any conclusions, please notice: I’m the only one that’s been hurt so far. Bud kicked me in the ankles
    and he’s got bones in all the wrong places. ’Cause when I hit him just now, I nearly broke my knuckles - ’
    The alien, who had been anxiously aware of the two actions, projected a thought at its child:
    Aren’t you making too many tests in a short space of time?
    No, father. For a few moments there, and actually still, there was another period of confusion. Mike’s attention was on the other members of the outfit. I want to establish in Mike's mind that it hurts to hit me. I analyse that he's the impulsive one, who may lash out at me without waiting for instructions from Lee David, the leader of this outfit.
    Lee David. That is the husky blond youth who has just come up?
    Yes.
    And that girl, who was addressed as Susan - the blonde girl. Is that Susan Lane?
    Yes. And the girl beside her is Marianne Baker. Although he doesn't seem interested, she’s trying to be Mike's girl.
    You’ve learned a great deal on your first evening ,
    This is my time for indoctrination.
    All right, son.
    The watcher was more at peace now. The minutes were passing; and the pseudo-human, Bud Jaeger, was handling the situation with a skill that would have been admirable in an older alien.
    It was that Lee David was reading his watch. The blond youth, who seemed to be the oldest member of the outfit, looked up, and said in a voice that was surprisingly deep-toned, ‘Well, jabbers, it’s twenty-five to twelve. I think that’s long enough to keep Bud out this evening. Sack, Mike?’
    The wiry, dark-haired boy hesitated. Lee, why not until twelve?’ he asked finally. ‘Our usual time for stoppers.’
    Lee smiled. ‘Bud is scared enough. I think we’ve got the same result.’ He glanced around at the others, seeking agreement. ‘Sack?’
    A chorus of 'sacks’ greet his query - all except Mike, who was silent, but who finally said reluctantly, ‘If that’s the way you want it.’
    The blue-eyed Lee gave the slig htly younger boy a quick, chal lenging glance, as if questioning the other’s tone, A moment later, he asked, 'What’s the push, Mike? 5 Once more, Mike hesitated, then: ‘No push.'
    Lee replied instantly, ‘There’s a doubt pushing out of you. Jack it out, so we can scan it.’
    Mike’s expression was clearing. He removed his hand from the grip it had on Bud’s coat collar. ‘All unpacked, Lee/ he said. A warm, friendly smile creased his face. ‘All sack/
    Lee said, ‘Sack.’ He turned to the others, made a dispersal gesture. ‘Sack,’ he said once again. He turned and walked quickly over to Susan. ‘Let’s go, moocher,’ he said.
    Susan caught his arm. ‘Sack, everybody,’ she said.
    All except Bud answered, ‘Sack.’
    The pert, little brunette took hold of Mike’s arm, stood beside him and with him watched Lee and Susan walk hurriedly away. Mike, watching, shook his head, but he was tolerant now. ‘Too bad,’ he said.
    Marrianne gave him a quick glance. 'What’s the push, Mike?’ Mike shrugged. ‘I’ll tell you when I take you home,’ he said. Without waiting for a further co mm ent, he turned toward Bud. ‘Sack, Bud.’
    Bud asked anxiously, Does that mean I can go?’
    Mike nodded.
    ‘But who’s going to go home with me, and face my old man? He said he’d beat the tar out of me if I went with an outfit.’ His tone was one of rising fear.
    Mike said, ‘Bud, we’ve explained the choice. We can take you to the Hall, or take you home. Make up your mind.’
    ‘Oh, I’ve got to go home,’ Bud shrilled. ‘I’ve got to. I wouldn’t dare stay out all night.’
    Mike