The Emancipatrix

The Emancipatrix, by Homer
Eon Flint

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Title: The Emancipatrix
Author: Homer Eon Flint

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THE EMANCIPATRIX
by HOMER EON FLINT
New York
[Illustrated title: 'The Emancipatrix' in script, over a background of a
bee silhouetted against a full moon on the horizon.]

I
THE MENTAL EXPEDITION
The doctor closed the door behind him, crossed to the table, silently
offered the geologist a cigar, and waited until smoke was issuing from
it. Then he said:
"Well," bluntly, "what's come between you and your wife, Van?"
The geologist showed no surprise. Instead, he frowned severely at the

end of his cigar, and carefully seated himself on the corner of the table.
When he spoke there was a certain rigor in his voice, which told the
doctor that his friend was holding himself tightly in rein.
"It really began when the four of us got together to investigate
Capellette, two months ago." Van Emmon was a thorough man in
important matters. "Maybe I ought to say that both Billie and I were as
much interested as either you or Smith; she often says that even the
tour of Mercury and Venus was less wonderful.
"What is more, we are both just as eager to continue the investigations.
We still have all kinds of faith in the Venusian formula; we want to
'visit' as many more worlds as the science of telepathy will permit. It
isn't that either of us has lost interest."
The doctor rather liked the geologist's scientific way of stating the case,
even though it meant hearing things he already knew. Kinney watched
and waited and listened intently.
"You remember, of course, what sort of a man I got in touch with.
Powart was easily the greatest Capellan of them all; a magnificent
intellect, which I still think was intended to have ruled the rest. I
haven't backed down from my original position."
"Van! You still believe," incredulously, "in a government of the sort he
contemplated?"
Van Emmon nodded aggressively. "All that we learned merely
strengthens my conviction. Remember what sort of people the working
classes of Capellette were? Smith's 'agent' was typical--a helpless
nincompoop, not fit to govern himself!" The geologist strove to keep
his patience.
"However," remarked Kinney, "the chap whose mind I used was no
fool."
"Nor was Billie's agent, the woman surgeon," agreed Van Emmon,
"even if she did prefer 'the Devolutionist' to Powart. But you'll have to

admit, doc, that the vast majority of the Capellans were incompetents;
the rest were exceptions."
The doctor spoke after a brief pause. "And--that's what is wrong, Van?"
"Yes," grimly. "Billie can't help but rejoice that things turned out the
way they did. She is sure that the workers, now that they've been
separated from the ruling class, will proceed to make a perfect paradise
out of their land." He could not repress a certain amount of sarcasm.
"As well expect a bunch of monkeys to build a steam engine!
"Well," after a little hesitation, "as I said before, doc, I've no reason to
change my mind. You may talk all you like about it--I can't agree to
such ideas. The only way to get results on that planet is for the upper
classes to continue to govern."
"And this is what you two have--quarreled about?"
Van Emmon nodded sorrowfully. He lit another cigar absent-mindedly
and cleared his throat twice before going on: "My fault, I guess. I've
been so darned positive about everything I've said, I've probably caused
Billie to sympathize with