Стража! Стража!

           Allthefurniturewasold,andthepicturesonthewall,thoughdoubtlessvaluable,lookedthesortofpicturesthatarehungonbedroomwallsbecausepeoplecan’tthinkofanywhereelsetoputthem.Therewerealsoafewamateurishwatercoloursofdragons.Allinall,ithadthelookaboutitofaroomthatisonlyeveroccupiedbyoneperson,andhasbeenabsent-mindedlymouldedaroundthemovertheyears,likeasuitofclotheswithaceiling.

           Itwasclearlytheroomofawoman,butonewhohadcheerfullyandwithoutanysillymopingbeengettingonwithherlifewhileallthatsoppyromancestuffhadbeenhappeningtootherpeoplesomewhereelse,andbeenjollygratefulthatshehadherhealth.

           Suchclothingaswasvisiblehadbeenchosenforsensiblehardwearingqualities,possiblybyapreviousgenerationbythelookofit,ratherthanitsuseaslightartilleryinthewarbetweenthesexes.Therewerebottlesandjarsneatlyarrangedonthedressingtable,butacertainseverityoflinesuggestedthattheirlabelswouldsaythingslike"Rubonnightly"ratherthan"Justadabbehindtheears".Youcouldimaginethattheoccupantofthisroomhadsleptinitallherlifeandhadbeencalled"mylittlegirl"byherfatheruntilshewasforty.

           Therewasabigsensiblebluedressinggownhangingbehindthedoor.Vimesknew,withoutevenlooking,thatitwouldhavearabbitonthepocket.

           Inshort,itwastheroomofawomanwhoneverexpectedthatamanwouldeverseetheinsideofit.

           Thebedsidetablewaspiledhighwithpapers.