Стража! Стража!

           "Idon’tthinkthatwouldbeveryappropriate,"saidCarrot."Anyway,StrongDrinkisaMocker."

           Hewasawareofapenetratingstareinthebackofhisneck,andturnedandlookedintothebig,blandandgentlefaceofanorangutan.

           Itwasseatedatthebarwithapintmugandabowlofpeanutsinfrontofit.IttilteditsglassamicablytowardsCarrotandthendrankdeeplyandnoisilybyapparentlyformingitslowerlipintoasortofprehensilefunnelandmakinganoiselikeacanalbeingdrained.

           CarrotnudgedNobby.

           "There’samonk-"hebegan.

           "Don’tsayit!"saidNobbyurgently."Don’tsaytheword!It’stheLibrarian.WorksupattheUniversity.Alwayscomesdownhereforanightcapofanevening."

           "Andpeopledon’tobject?"

           "Whyshouldthey?"saidNobby."Healwaysstandshisround,justlikeeveryoneelse."

           Carrotturnedandlookedattheapeagain.Anumberofquestionspressedforattention,suchas:wheredoesitkeepitsmoney?TheLibrariancaughthisgaze,misinterpretedit,andgentlypushedthebowlofpeanutstowardshim.

           Carrotpulledhimselftohisfullimpressiveheightandconsultedhisnotebook.TheafternoonspentreadingTheLawsandOrdinanceshadbeenwellspent.