“Yes, no doubt,” said Twango. “Things are done differently in the overworld. Like the model, Sadlark was constructed of scales on a matrix not of silver wires but wefts of force. When Sadlark plunged into the mire, the dampness annulled his forces; the scales dispersed and Sadlark became disorganized, which is the overworld equivalent of mortality.”
“A pity,” said Cugel, returning to his seat. “His conduct from the first would seem to have been quixotic.”
“Possibly true,” said Twango. “His motives are difficult to assess. Now, as to our own business: Weamish is leaving our little group and his post as ‘supervisor of operations’ becomes open. Is such a position within your capacity?”
“I should certainly think so,” said Cugel. “Buried valuables have long engaged my interest!”
“Then the position should suit you famously!”
“And my stipend?”
“It shall be exactly that of Weamish, even though Weamish is a skilled and able associate of many years. In such cases, I play no favorites.”
“In round numbers, then, Weamish earns how many terces?”
“I prefer to keep such matters confidential,” said Twango, “but Weamish, so I believe, will allow me to reveal that last week he earned almost three hundred terces, and the week before as much again.”
“True, from first to last!” said Weamish.
Cugel rubbed his chin. “Such a stipend would seem adequate to my needs.”
“Just so,” said Twango. “When can you assume your duties?”
Cugel considered for only a moment. “At once, for purposes of salary computation. However, I will want a few days to study your operation. I assume that you can provide me adequate board and lodging over this period?”
“Such facilities are provided at a nominal cost.” Twango rose to his feet. “But I keep you talking when you are surely tired and hungry. Weamish, as his last official duty, will take you to the refectory, where you may dine to your selection. Then you may rest in whatever style of accommodation you find congenial. Cugel, I welcome you into our employ! In the morning we can settle the details of your compensation.”
“Come!” cried Weamish. “To the refectory.” He ran limping to the doorway, where he paused and beckoned. “Come along, Cugel! At Flutic one seldom loiters!”
Cugel looked at Twango. “Why is Weamish so animated, and why must one never loiter?”
Twango shook his head in fond bemusement. “Weamish is a nonpareil! Do not try to match his performance; I could never hope to find another like him!”
Weamish called again: “Come, Cugel! Must we stand here while the sun goes out?”
“I am coming, but I refuse to run blindly through this long dark corridor!”
“This way, then: after me!”
Cugel followed Weamish to the refectory: a hall with tables to one side and a buffet loaded with viands to the other. Two men sat dining. The first, a person large and thick-necked with a florid complexion, a tumble of blond curls and a surly expression, ate broad beans and bread. The second, who was as lean as a lizard, with a dark leathery skin, a narrow bony face and coarse black hair, consumed a meal no less austere, of steamed kale, with a wedge of raw onion for savor.
Cugel’s attention, however, focused on the buffet. He turned to Weamish in wonder. “Does Twango always provide such a bounty of delicacies?”
Weamish responded in a disinterested fashion. “Yes, this is usually the case.”
“The two men yonder: who are they?”
“To the left sits Yelleg; the other is Malser. They comprise the work-force which you will supervise.”
“Only two? I expected a larger crew.”
“You will find that these two suffice.”
“For workmen, their appetites are remarkably moderate.”
Weamish glanced indifferently across the room. “So it would seem. What of yourself: how will you dine?”
Cugel went to inspect the buffet at closer range. “I will start with a dish of these smoked oil-fish, and a salad of pepper-leaf. Then this roast fowl seems eminently edible, and I will try a cut off the rare end of the joint … The garnishes are nicely turned out. Finally, a few of these pastries and a flask of the Violet Mendolence: this should suffice. No question but what Twango does well by his employees!”
Cugel arranged a tray with viands of quality, while Weamish took only a small dish of boiled burdock leaves. Cugel asked in wonder: “Is that paltry meal adequate to your appetite?”
Weamish frowned down at his dish. “It is admittedly a trifle spare. I find that an over-rich diet reduces my zeal.”
Cugel laughed confidently. “I intend to innovate a program of rational operations, and this frantic harum-scarum zeal of yours, with all shirt-tails flying, will become unnecessary.”
Weamish pursed his lips. “You will find that, at times, you are working as hard as your underlings. That is the nature of the supervisorial position.”
“Never!” declared Cugel expansively. “I insist upon a rigid separation of functions. A toiler does not supervise and the supervisor does not toil. But as for your meal tonight, you are retired from work; you may eat and drink as you see fit!”
“My account is closed,” said Weamish. “I do not care to reopen the books.”
“A small matter, surely,” said Cugel. “Still, if you are concerned, eat and drink as you will, to my account!”
“That is most generous!” Jumping to his feet, Weamish limped at speed to the buffet. He returned with a selection of choice meats, preserved fruits, pastries, a large cheese and a flask of wine, which he attacked with astonishing gusto.
A sound from above attracted Cugel’s attention. He looked up to discover Gark and Gookin crouched on a shelf. Gark held a tablet upon which Gookin made entries, using an absurdly long stylus.
Gark inspected Cugel’s plate. “Item: oil-fish, smoked and served with garlic and one leek, at four terces. Item: one fowl, good quality, large size, served with one cup of sauce and seven garnishes, at eleven terces. Item: three pastries of mince with herbs, at three terces each, to a total of nine terces. A salad of assorted stuffs: six terces. Item: three fardels, at two terces, to a total of six terces. Item: one large order of quince conserve, valued at three terces. Wine, nine terces. A service of napery and utensils: one terce.”
