Стража! Стража!

           Vimes’sbrowcreasedashisthoughtsshapedthemselvesaroundanewconcept.

           "Avolunteer?"hesaid.

           "Yes."

           "Hedidn’thavetojoin?"

           "Hewantedtojoin.Andyousaiditmustbeajoke,andIsaidweoughttotryandgetmoreethnicminoritiesintotheWatch.Youremember?’’

           Vimestriedto.Itwasn’teasy.Hewasvaguelyawarethathedranktoforget.Whatmadeitratherpointlesswasthathecouldn’trememberwhatitwashewasforgettinganymore.Intheendhejustdranktoforgetaboutdrinking.

           Atrawlofthechaoticassortmentofrecollectionsthathedidn’teventrytodignifyanymorebythenameofmemoryproducednoclue.

           "DoI?"hesaidhelplessly.

           Wonsefoldedhishandsonthedeskandleanedforward.

           "Nowlook,Captain,"hesaid."Lordshipwantsanexplanation.Idon’twanttohavetotellhimthecaptainoftheNightWatchhasn’tthefaintestideawhatgoesonamongthemenunder,ifImayusethetermloosely,hiscommand.Thatsortofthingonlyleadstotrouble,questionsasked,thatsortofthing.Wedon’twantthat,dowe.Dowe?"

           "No,sir,"Vimesmuttered.AvaguerecollectionofsomeoneearnestlytalkingtohimintheBunchofGrapeswasbobbingguiltilyatthebackofhismind.Surelythathadn’tbeenadwarf?Notunlessthequalificationhadbeenradicallyaltered,atanyrate.