the sloop departed Ocean Island an drove off across the blue afternoon sea on an easy starboard tack.
Neither Glawen nor Wayness had much to say on the voyage horn each seemed absorbed in thought, though they sat close together 0 the port cockpit seat.
With the breeze starting to fail and the sun declining into the wesi Glawen drove into the mouth of the River Wan and upstream to Clattuc boathouse. Securing the sloop, Glawen conducted Wayness to Riverview House on the Clattuc power wagon. She hesitated a moment, as if thinking; then, turning to Glawen, said: "In regard to Julian Bohost, Father is dubious. He considers Julian something of a demagogue."
"I'm more interested in your opinions," said Glawen.
Wayness tilted her head and pursed her lips as if holding back a smile.
"He's noble; he's high-minded; he's strong!
What more could a girl want? Something more like Glawen Clattuc? Who knows?" Bending, she kissed Glawen's cheek.
"Thank you for a lovely day."
"Wait!" cried Glawen.
"Come back!"
"I think not," said Wayness, and ran off up the path to Riverview House.
Bodwyn Wook summoned Glawen to his office and waved him to a seat. Glawen settled himself and waited patiently while Bodwyn Wook straightened papers on his desk, rubbed his bald pate, and finally, leaning back into his massive leather-upholstered chair, fixed a sharp gaze upon Glawen.
"So! Here's our bully new Bold Lion!"
"Not yet," said Glawen.
"If ever."
"If ever, eh? And what am I supposed to understand by that?"
"It's not likely that I'll be allowed into the group," said Glawen.
"Indeed. You will find that I am right and you are wrong.
You will be elected a Bold Lion with facility."
"Just as you say, sir, although I don't understand the reason for any of this."
Bodwyn Wook laced his fingers together, tucked them under his bony chin and gazed toward the ceiling.
"In a month or so the group will visit Yipton, so I am told, for several days of social studies. You will be included in this junket.
That should be a pleasant prospect."
"Not really, sir. I'm not good at conviviality, or group frolics."
"Hm. Very much the loner, aren't you, Glawen?"
"I suppose that's the way of it."
"Well, you shall go to Yipton and frolic and make merry and be as convivial as the others. Dissimulation is the necessary camouflage of the spy."
"But what am I spying for?"
"All this will be made clear in due course. Until then:
become a
good Bold Lion! Learn to carouse and frolic, since at Yipton you must participate in all the fun if you are not to compromise your cover."
Glawen gave a somber nod.
"If I must, I must. The expenses will certainly be considerable--" Bodwyn Wook jerked upright in his chair, became suddenly wary.
"Quite so. Money spent on pleasure is money well-spent; look at it that way."
"--but no doubt you will supply me with Agency funds."
Bodwyn Wook sighed.
"Glawen, I have misjudged you. You are truly a rascal after all, despite that look of pensive innocence which no doubt drives the girls wild. Please do not hoodwink me again."
"Sir--" Bodwyn Wook rose to his feet.
"I have heard enough. I no longer have doubts as to your role as a Bold Lion. It may well be that you are the most feckless of the lot. That is all for now."
Glawen, with a hundred questions pressing at his lips, departed the office for his morning classes at the lyceum.