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           Dukespentallnightscouringthecityforthehigh-speedtaperecordersweuseforthedictionaryandnowwe’vegoteverybodywhocanpossiblydoitbeingjammedfullofMartianphonicsymbolsandthenMikewillbethroughandcanvisit.Dawnhasjuststarteddictating;Ifinishedonesession,duckedouttosaygood-morningtoyou?andamabouttogobackandgetpouredfullofmylastpartofthechore,soI’llbegonejustalittlelongerthanDawnwillbe.Andhere’sDawn’skiss–thefirstonewasjustfromme."Sheputherarmsaroundhisneckandagainputhermouthgreedilytohis–atlastsaid,"Mygoodness!Whydidwewaitsolong?‘Byeforalittle!"

           Jubalfoundasparsefewinthebigdiningroom.Dukelookedup,smiledandwaved,wentbacktoheartyeating.Hedidnotlookasifhehadbeenupallnight–norhadhe;hehadbeenuptwonights.

           BeckyVeseylookedaroundwhenDukewavedandsaidhappily,"Hi,youoldgoat!"–grabbedhisear,pulledhimdown,andwhisperedintoit:

           "I’veknownitallalong–butwhyweren’tyouaroundtoconsolemewhentheProfessordied?"Sheaddedaloud,"Sitdownherebesidemeandwe’llgetsomefoodintoyouwhileyoutellmewhatdevilmentyou’vebeenplottinglately."

           "Justamoment,Becky."Jubalwentaroundthetable."Hi,Skipper.Goodtrip?"

           "Notrouble.It’sbecomingamilkrun.Idon’tbelieveyou’veevermetMrs.vanTromp.Mydear,thefounderofthisfeast,theoneandonlyJubalHarshaw–twoofhimwouldbetoomany."