Dr. Braun had been taking in their debate, uncomfortably. As though in
spite of himself, he said now, "Very few, I am afraid."
"Religious ethic," Patricia pursued, relentlessly. "The greatest of the
commandments is Thou Shalt Not Kill, but comes along a war in which
killing becomes not only permissible but an absolute virtue and all our
good Christians, Jews, Mohammedans and even Buddhists, who supposedly
are not even allowed to kill mosquitoes, wade in with sheer happiness."
"War releases abnormal passions," Ross said grudgingly.
"You don't need a war. Look at the Germans, supposedly one of our most
highly civilized people. When the Nazi government released all
restraints on persecution of the Jews, gypsies and others, you know what
happened. This began in peace time, not in war."
Dr. Braun shifted in his chair. He said, his voice low, "We needn't look
beyond our own borders. The manner in which our people conducted
themselves against the Amerinds from the very beginning of the white
occupation of North America was quite shocking."
Ross said to him, "I thought you were on my side. The Indian wars were a
long time ago. We're more advanced now."
Dr. Braun said softly, "My father fought against Geronimo in Arizona. It
wasn't so long ago as all that."
Ross Wooley felt the argument going against him and lashed back. "We've
been over and over this, what's your point?"
Patricia said doggedly, "The same point I tried to make from the
beginning. This discovery must not be generally released. We'll simply
have to suppress it."
* * * * *
The door opened behind them. They turned. Nothing was there. Ross,
scowling, lumbered to his feet to walk over and close it.
"Hey, take it easy," a voice laughed. "Don't walk right into a guy."
Ross stopped, startled.
Dr. Braun and Patricia stood up and stared, too.