Стража! Стража!

           "I’vealwaysthought,"saidthemonarchist,pullingoutapipeandbeginningtofillitwiththeponderousairofonewhoisgoingtodeliveralecture,"thatoneofthemajorproblemsofbeingakingistheriskofyourdaughtergettingaprick."

           Therewasathoughtfulpause.

           "Andfallingasleepforahundredyears,"themonarchistwentonstolidly.

           "Ah,"saidtheothers,unaccountablyrelieved.

           "Andthenthere’swearandtearonpeas,"headded.

           "Well,therewouldbe,"saidthewoman,uncertainly.

           "Havingtosleeponthemallthetime,"saidthemonarchist.

           "Nottomentionhundredsofmattresses."

           "Right."

           "Isthatso?IthinkIcouldget’emforhimwholesale,"saidThroat.HeturnedtoVimes,whohadbeenlisteningtoallthiswithleadendepression."See,Captain?Andyou’dbeintheroyalguard,Iexpect.Getsomeplumesinyourhelmet."

           "Ah,pageantry,"saidthemonarchist,pointingwithhispipe."Veryimportant.Lotsofspectacles."

           "What,free?"saidThroat.

           "We-ell,Ithinkmaybeyouhavetopayfortheframes,"saidthemonarchist.

           "You’reallbloodymad!"shoutedVimes."Youdon’tknowanythingabouthimandhehasn’tevenwonyet!"

           "Bitofaformality,Iexpect,"saidthewoman.

           "It’safire-breathingdragon!"screamedVimes,rememberingthosenostrils."Andhe’sjustaguyonahorse,forheaven’ssake!"

           Throatproddedhimgentlyinthebreastplate."Yougotnosoul,Cap’n,"hesaid.