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           "Don’tbesoeager."

           "‘Out,’Isaid.Thefootofthelineforyou,wench,"Miriaminsisted.

           "Oh,well!"AnnepeckedMikehastilyandgaveway.Miriammovedin,smiledathim,andsaidnothing.Itwasnotnecessary;theygrewcloseandcontinuedtogrowcloser.

           "Front!"

           Miriamlookedaround."Boss,can’tyouseeI’mbusy?"

           "Allright,allright!Butgetoutofthepickupangle–I’llanswerthephonemyself."

           "Honest,Ididn’tevenhearit."

           "Obviously.Butforawhilewe’vegottopretendtoamodicumofdignityaroundhere–itmightbetheSecretaryGeneral.Sogetoutofrange."

           ButitwasMr.Mackenzie."Jubal,whatinthedevilisgoingon?"

           "Trouble?"

           "AshortwhileagoIgotawildphonecallfromayoungmanclaimingtospeakforyouwhourgedmetodropeverythingandgetcracking,becauseyou’vefinallygotsomethingforme.SinceIhadalreadyorderedamobileunittoyourplace-"

           "Nevergothere."

           "Iknow.Theycalledin,afterwanderingaroundsomewherenorthofyou.Ourdespatcherstraightenedthemoutandtheyshouldbethereanymomentnow.Itriedtwicetocallyouandyourcircuitwasbusy.WhathaveImissed?"

           "Nothingyet."Jubalconsideredit.Damnation,heshouldhavehadsomeonemonitorthebabblebox.HadDouglasactuallymadethatnewsrelease?WasDouglascommitted?Orwouldanewpasselofcopsshowup?Whilethekidsplayedpostoffice!Jubal,you’regettingsenile."I’mnotsurethatthere’sgoingtobe,justyet.