"The alien didn't smile. They are humorless people, Kevin thought. Perhaps telepathy does that to them; can there be humor among telepaths? 'Living among us for so long, you don't mind the slaughter?' 'You would not make good pets. Besides, we are not a pet-keeping people. It is a kind of immaturity that needs the antics of lesser animals to amuse it. Don't disturb yourself over plans for escape, Mr. Gregg', he said politely. 'We are telepathic, remember, and you cannot surprise us. We would only be forced to shoot you -- early.' He took a bell-barreled gun out of his pocket. 'This time it will be fatal.'
From "Deadly Silence".
By James E. Gunn
1958.