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Show " H s s t . . . ! " The young Janni pushed her mother down gently to the ground. More folk were coming through the yard-three of them this time, in flowing cloaks. They were singing in soft, clear voices: In SixMonth comes the foxflowers. . . Janni and Dr'Anya could see the line of traffic now-from the students' quarters across the tilting yard and under the north grandstand to the gallery leading into the CollegeRefectory-mayhap for some midnight supper or such like. Authentic torches were flaring in the distance now that the Governor-directed illumination system was on the foul. They were held in the decorative sconces just under the darkened ion flares placed against the ribbed arches of the refectory's portico. A soft, yellow light was glimmering behind the long, mullioned windows beyond. "Another outbreak of fires, most surely," whispered Dr'Anya. "Aye, and with the pumps full off, the NewOxbridge folk can play most heartily at bucket-brigade Archaism!" Dr'Anya and Janni had been talking sotto voce while the three singers walked under the north grandstand. As soon as they disappeared into the shadows of the refectory courtyard, Janni and Dr'Anya stood up and flexed their rubbery legs. Dr'Anya pulled out and smoothed her gown. "To the aircar, child," said Dr'Anya, "and that right speedily!" Janni flicked a glance at her good mother. Jests she with me, thought Janni, at the echoing of my own jest a few moments before? Or am I chidden for knowing not my place? To be sure, she was overtouchy by then and full of contradictions, for she had not expected such a hornets' nest of trouble on her homecoming! But she followed obediently enough, running on tiptoe 130 |