Robert Heinlein - Red Planet

MacRae stood up. "I want to get a bath and some sleep.... after I see Jim."

"Just a minute. Doc, do you think we'll have any real trouble making this autonomy declaration stick?"

"It's got to stick. Relations with the Martians are eight times as delicate as we thought they were; absentee ownership isn't practical. Imagine trying to settle issues like this one by taking a vote back on Earth among board members that have never even seen a Martian."

"That's not what I mean. How much opposition will we run into?"

MacRae scratched his chin again. "Men have had to fight for their liberties before, Jamie. I don't know. It's up to us to convince the folks back on Earth that autonomy is necessary. With the food and population problem back on Earth being what it is, they'll do anything necessary-once they realize what we're up against-to keep the peace and continue migration. They don't want anything to hold up the Project."

"I hope you're right."

"m the long run I have to be right. We've got the Martians pitching on our team. Well, I'm on my way to break the news to Jim."

"He's not going to like it," said Jim's father. "He'll get over it. Probably he'll find another bouncer and teach him English and call him Willis, too. Then he'll grow up and not make pets of bouncers. It won't matter." He looked thoughtful, and added, "But what becomes of Willis? I wish I knew."

Jim took it well. He accepted MacRae's much expurgated explanation and nodded. "I guess if Willis has to hibernate, well, that's that. When they come for him, I won't make any fuss. It was just that Howe and Beecher didn't have any right to take him."

"That's the slant, son. But it's right for him to go with the Martians because they know how to take care of him, when he needs it. You saw that when you were with them."

"Yes." Jim added, "Can I visit him?"

"He won't know you. He'll be asleep."

"Well-look, when he wakes up, will he know me?"

MacRae looked grave. He had asked the old one the same question. "Yes," he answered truthfully, "he'll have all his memory intact." He did not give Jim the rest of the answerthat the transition period would last more than forty Earth years.

"Well, that won't be so bad. I'm going to be awfully busy in school right now, anyhow."

"That's the spirit."

Jim looked up Frank and they went to their old room, vacant of womenfolk at the moment. Jim cradled Willis in his arms and told Frank what Doc hadJold him. Willis listened, but the conversation was apparently over the little Martian's depth; Willis made no comment. Presently Willis became bored with it and started to sing. The selection was the latest Willis had heard, the tango Frank had presented to Jim: iQuien Es La Senorita?

When it was over Frank said, "You know, Willis sounds exactly like a girl when he sings that."

Jim chuckled. "Quien Es La Senorita?, Willis?"

Willis managed to look indignant. "Willis fine boy'" she insisted.