Стража! Стража!

           "CorporalNobbs,"herasped,"whyareyoukickingpeoplewhenthey’redown?"

           "Safestway,sir,"saidNobby.

           Nobbyhadlongagobeentoldaboutfightingfairandnotstrikingafallenopponent,andhadthengivensomecreativethoughttohowtheserulesappliedtosomeonefourfeettallwiththemuscletoneofanelasticband.

           "Well,stopit.Iwantyoutocautionthefelons,"saidthecaptain.

           "How,sir?"

           "Well,you-"CaptainVimesstopped.Hewasblowedifheknew.He’dneverdoneit.

           "Justdoit,"hesnapped."SurelyIdon’thavetotellyoueverything?’’

           Nobbywasleftaloneatthetopofthestairs.Ageneralmutteringandgroaningfromthefloorindicatedthatpeoplewerewakingup.Nobbythoughtquickly.Heshookanadmonitorycheese-strawofafinger.

           "Letthatbealessontoyou,"hesaid."Don’tdoitagain.’’

           Andranforit.

           UpinthedarknessoftherafterstheLibrarianscratchedhimselfreflectively.Lifewascertainlyfullofsurprises.Hewasgoingtowatchdevelopmentswithinterest.Heshelledathoughtfulpeanutwithhisfeet,andswungawayintothedarkness.

           ...