"And which do you select?" asked the oldish man over his rimless glasses.
"Well, yes," admitted the clerk, "but only by Petition Extraordinary to the Chief of the Staff. But it is most unusual, and if he refuses to grant it you may be dishonoured even to the extent of having your election to paternity suspended, may be even permanently cancelled."
"Exactly--you refuse to accept any one of the three women when all are most scientifically selected for you. Does it not throw some doubts upon your own psychic fitness for mating at all? If I may suggest, Herr Colonel--it would be wiser for you to select some one of the three--you have yet plenty of time."
"No," I said, trying to hide my elation. "I will not do so. I will make the Petition Extraordinary to your chief."
"You must first consult the Investigator."
After a few formalities I was conducted to that official.
"You refuse to make selection?" inquired the Investigator.
"Because," I replied, "I am engaged upon some chemical research of most unusual nature--"
"Yes," nodded the Investigator, "I have just looked that up. The more reason you should be honoured with paternity."
"Perhaps," I said, "you are not informed of the grave importance of the research. If you will consult Herr von Uhl of the Chemical Staff--"
"Entirely unnecessary," he retorted; "paternity is also important. Besides it takes but little time. No more than you need for recreation."
"But I do not find it recreation. I have not been able to concentrate my mind on my work since I received notice of my election to paternity."
"But you were warned against this," he said; "you have no right to permit the development of disturbing romantic emotions. They may be bad for your work, but they are worse for eugenics. So, if you have made romantic love to the mothers of Berlin, your case must be investigated."
"Because," I replied, "this system of scientific paternity offends my instincts."
The investigator ogled me craftily. "What system would you prefer instead?" he asked.
I saw he was trying to trap me into disloyal admissions. "I have nothing to propose," I stated. "I only know that I find the paternity system offensive to me, and that the position I am placed in incapacitates me for my work."