 Why is Retief so concerned about the tractor order?
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, September 1962. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] I Second Secretary Magnan took his green-lined cape and orange-feathered beret from the clothes tree. "I'm off now, Retief," he said. "I don't appreciate frivolity with reference to this Division," Magnan said testily. "When I first came here, the Manpower Utilization Directorate, Division of Libraries and Education was a shambles. Frankly, I question the wisdom of placing you in charge of such a sensitive desk, even for two weeks. "I assume you jest, Retief," Magnan said sadly. "I see they're sending two thousand students to d'Land," Retief said, glancing at the Memo for Record. "The Bogans have launched no less than four military campaigns in the last two decades. "Breaking and entering," Retief said. That's an industrial world of the poor but honest variety." "Academic details are the affair of the students and their professors," Magnan said. "Our function is merely to bring them together. I'll leave him to you, Retief," Magnan said. And remember: here at Corps HQ, all eyes are upon you." "If I'd thought of that, I'd have worn my other suit," Retief said. Retief punched Miss Furkle's button. A tall broad man with bronze skin and gray hair, wearing tight trousers of heavy cloth, a loose shirt open at the neck and a short jacket, stepped into the room. He paused at sight of Retief, looked him over momentarily, then advanced and held out his hand. Retief dropped his hand and motioned to a chair. The wine crop is just about ready. "No," Retief said. In between, the vines don't need a lot of attention, so our time's mostly our own. We've turned all the land area we've got into parks and farms. Lovenbroy's a nice place, Mr. Retief." "It sounds like it, Mr. Arapoulous. Five of 'em. Cold as hell in winter; eccentric orbit, you know. Blue-black sky, stars visible all day. Lots of skiing, bob-sledding, ice skating; and it's the season for woodworkers. Our furniture—" "I've seen some of your furniture," Retief said. Autumn's our harvest season.
 Because the order of tractors is unusually large.
 Because he knows whoever ordered the tractors has bad intentions.  Because he knows the order is a mistake.  Because the order of tractors is unusually large.  Because no one else appears to be concerned about the tractors.