"That is good to hear," said Fader.
"Your praise has sweetened an otherwise trying day for me." He bowed and departed.
Shugart turned to the other Bold Lions.
"Well, what now? The night is still young!"
"I think I will settle myself to another of those excellent rum punches," said Kiper.
Cloyd declared: "For once in his life, Kiper has had a rational thought. As we drink he can describe to us the scenery encountered on his around-the-world voyage."
Glawen, meanwhile, found Kirdy sitting in a quiet corner of the lobby, turning the pages of an old magazine. Glawen slid into a seat beside him.
Kirdy tossed the magazine aside.
"How did it go at Pussycat Palace?"
"About what I expected."
"You don't seem all that enthusiastic."
"It's not an enthusiastic environment. The girls are polite enough-'dutiful' is probably a better word--but still, in the end I just drank tea."
"Most fastidious of you."
Not for the first time it occurred to Glawen that Kirdy did not like him very much.
"It wasn't that at all."
"The girl smelled bad?"
Glawen shook his head.
"This may sound peculiar, but do you remember the old man who gave me the fish?"
"Yes, of course."
"I went with the girl into her room. She took off her clothes and stood waiting. Her expression was like that of the old man. I could not bring myself to touch her."
"That's a bit fanciful, isn't it?"
"I had a nice cup of tea, and she told me her name, which I've forgotten, and the time went easily enough."
"Expensive tea," grunted Kirdy. He turned away and picked up his magazine.
Glawen asked: "How did things go with you."
she stood silent, waiting while Glawen awkwardly removed his tunic. Glawen paused, looked into the girl's face, then turned away. He winced, sighed, then donned his tunic once again.
In a worried voice the girl asked: "What is wrong? Have I done something to offend you?"
"Not at all," said Glawen.
"It seems that I'm not in the mood for this son of pit-a-pat."
The girl shrugged and pulled the frock back over her head.
She said: "I serve tea and cakes as an extra. The charge is one sol."
"Very well," said Glawen.
"If you will share them with me."
Without comment the girl brought a pot of tea and a platter of small pastries. She poured a single cup. Glawen said:
"Please, pour for yourself as well."
"As you like." She poured another cup of tea and sat watching Glawen without interest, a situation which at last prompted Glawen to ask: "What is your name?"
"Sujulor Yerlsvan Alasia. It is a North Wind name."
"My name is Glawen, from the House ofClattuc."
"That is an odd name."
"It seems ordinary enough to me. Are you interested in where I come from? Or anything about me?"
"Not really. I must take events as they come."
