He said aloud, "What do you want me to do about it?"
"We want you to sign a petition," said Mrs. Jellicoe.
"And make a contribution?"
"Indeed not," said Stevens. "Your signature will be enough. It is all we ask. We are always glad to get evidence that men of prestige are with us, that the thinking men and women of the galaxy see the justice of our claim."
Sutton scraped back his chair and rose.
"My name," he said, "would carry little prestige."
"But Mr. Sutton…"
"I approve of your aims," said Sutton, "but I am skeptical of your methods of carrying them forward."
He made a half bow to them, still sitting in their chairs.
"And now I must go to lunch," he said.