Чужак в чужой стране

           Thatdarkone-Butheputthethoughtoutofhismind;hewasaguest.

           Butitpleasedhimverymuchthatthesewomendidnotchatter,didnotintrudethemselvesintothesobertalkofmen,butwereveryquickwithfoodanddrinkinwarmhospitality.HehadbeenshockedatMiriam’scasualdisrespecttowardhermaster–thenrecognizeditforwhatitwas:libertypermittedcatsandfavoritechildrenintheprivacyofthehome.

           JubalexplainedearlythattheyweredoingnothingbutwaitingonwordfromtheSecretaryGeneral."Ifhemeansbusiness–andIthinkhe’sreadytodeal–wemayhearfromhimyettoday.Ifnot,we’llgohomethisevening?andcomebackifwehaveto.ButifwehadstayedinthePalace,hemighthavebeentemptedtodicker.Here,dugintoourownhole,wecanrefusetodicker."

           "Dickerforwhat?"askedCaptainvanTromp."Yougavehimwhathewanted."

           "Notallthathewanted.Douglaswouldratherhavethatpowerofattorneybeutterlyirrevocable?insteadofonhisgoodbehavior,withthepowerrevertingtoamanhedespisesandisafraidof–namelythatscoundreltherewiththeinnocentsmile,ourbrotherBen,ButthereareothersbesidesDouglaswhoarecertaintowanttodicker,too.ThatblandbuddhaKung–hatesmyguts,I’vejustsnatchedtherugoutfromunderhim.Butifhecouldfigureadealthatmighttemptus–beforeDouglasnailsthisdown–hewouldofferit.Sowestayoutofhisway,too.Kungisonereasonwhyweareeatinganddrinkingnothingthatwedidnotfetchwithus."