Стража! Стража!

           Feelingguilty,butdoingitanyway,Vimessquintedatthem.

           Dragonswasthetheme.TherewerelettersfromtheCavernClubExhibitionsCommitteeandtheFriendlyFlamethrowersLeague.TherewerepamphletsandappealsfromtheSunshineSanctuaryforSickDragons-"PoorlittleVINNY’sfireswerenearlyDampedafterFiveyears’CruelUseasaPaint-Stripper,butnow-"Andtherewererequestsfordonations,andtalks,andthingsthataddeduptoaheartbigenoughforthewholeworld,oratleastthatpartofitthathadwingsandbreathedfire.

           Ifyouletyourminddwellonroomslikethis,youcouldendupbeingoddlysadandfullofastrange,diffusecompassionwhichwouldleadyoutobelievethatitmightbeagoodideatowipeoutthewholehumanraceandstartagainwithamoebas.

           Besidethedriftofpaperworkwasabook.Vimestwistedpainfullyandlookedatthespine.Itsaid:DiseasesoftheDragon,bySybilDeidreOlgivannaRamkin.

           Heturnedthestiffpagesinhorrifiedfascination.Theyopenedintoanotherworld,aworldofquitestupefyingproblems.SlabThroat.TheBlackTups.DryLung.Storge.Staggers,Heaves,Weeps,Stones.Itwasamazing,hedecidedafterreadingafewpages,thataswampdragoneversurvivedtoseeasecondsunrise.Evenwalkingacrossaroommustbereckonedabiologicaltriumph.

           Thepainstakingly-drawnillustrationshelookedawayfromhurriedly.Youcouldonlytakesomuchinnards.

           Therewasaknockatthedoor.

           "Isay?Areyoudecent?"LadyRamkinboomedcheerfully.

           "Er-"

           "I’vebroughtyousomethingjollynourishing."