Стража! Стража!

           "Well,I’llbemogadored!They’veonlygoneandcaughtit!"

           Nobbylookedupfromthetableinthecornerwherehewascontinuallyfailingtolearnthatitisalmostimpossibletoplayagameofskillandbluffagainstanopponentwhosmilesallthetime.TheLibrariantookadvantageofthediversiontohelphimselftoacoupleofcardsoffthebottomofthepack.

           "Don’tbedaft.That’sjustaswampdragon,"saidNobby."She’sallright,isLadySybil.Areallady."

           Theothertwoguardsturnedandstaredathim.ThiswasNobbytalking.

           "Youtwocanbloodywellstopthat,"hesaid."Whyshouldn’tIknowaladywhenIseesone?Shegivemeacupofteainacupfinaspaperandasilverspooninit,"hesaid,speakingasonewhohadpeepedovertheplateauofsocialdistinction."AndIgiveitbacktoher,soyoucanstoplookingatmelikethat!"

           "Whatisityouactuallydoonyoureveningsoff?"saidColon.

           "Nobusinessofyourn."

           "Didyoureallygivethespoonback?"saidCarrot.

           "YesIbloodywelldid!"saidNobbyhotly.

           "Attention,lads,"saidthesergeant,floodedwithrelief.

           Theothertwoenteredtheroom.Vimesgavehismenhisusuallookofresigneddismay."Mysquad,"hemumbled.

           "Finebodyofmen,"saidLadyRamkin."Thegoodoldrankandfile,eh?"

           "Therank,anyway,"saidVimes.

           LadyRamkinbeamedencouragingly.Thisledtoastrangeshufflingamongthemen.SergeantColon,bydintofsomeeffort,managedtomakehischeststickoutmorethanhisstomach.