Стража! Стража!

           Itwasastrange,vaguelyhemisphericaldevicesurroundedbystraps.

           "It’ssomesortofsling?"saidCarrot,afterexaminingitinpolitesilence.

           Varneshitoldhimwhatitwas.

           "Codpiecelikeinfish?"saidCarrot,mystified.

           "No.It’sforthefighting,"mumbledVarneshi."Youshouldwearitallthetime.Protectsyourvitals,like."

           Carrottriediton.

           "It’sabitsmall,MrVarneshi."

           "That’sbecauseyoudon’twearitonyourhead,yousee."

           Varneshiexplainedsomemore,toCarrot’smountingbewildermentand,subsequently,horror."Mygreat-grandadusedtosay,"Varneshifinished,"thatbutforthisIwouldn’tbeheretoday."

           "Whatdidhemeanbythat?"

           Varneshi’smouthopenedandshutafewtimes."I’venoidea,"hesaid,spinelessly.

           Anyway,theshamefulthingwasnowattheverybottomofCarrot’spack.Swarfsdidn’thavemuchtruckwiththingslikethat.Theghastlypreventativerepresentedaglimpseintoaworldasalienasthebacksideofthemoon.

           TherehadbeenanothergiftfromMrVarneshi.Itwasasmallbutverythickbook,boundinaleatherthathadbecomelikewoodovertheyears.