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Show her voice muffled by the jerkin. Her head came through the jerkin top and she patted her hair back in place. "Instructed we are to go over them with the directed hovercraft and sample by remote, if thou pleasest." She hunted around for her leggings. "How I was supposed to infiltrate the Provincials or gain the confidence of the Zetts, seated in armored hovercraft, I know not. 'Tis no wonder that no wight in the Commendiums knows what be in hand in the Provinces." Janni pulled her jerkin down and said, "Wilt thou go thither yet again someday, dost thou think, my mother?" "Mayhap. . .mayhap. " The good Dr'Anya was indeed much better on her feet than ever she dreamed. Mayhap she could g o . .. "Wilt thou go yet alone?" Dr'Anya frowned and pulled her leggings on. She felt it needful of a sudden to assert herself on the subject-that she was still able to be of use in the world, for indeed she had become of a sudden unsure on the subject as we have seen. "I bethink myself able to go yet alone. Aye, and assuredly I am well able to go yet alone." "But, my mother, think thou not that thou mightest take someone with?" Janni said, her face turning a bright pink. "Mean I some wight thou knowest passing well? Some wight who lovest thee and wouldst mayhap be overhappy to j o i n . . . . " She picked up her girdle and flung it on the floor, and then burst into tears. Dr'Anya looked at Janni, astonished. "My c h i l d . . . ! " she said, gaping. "Whatever ails t h e e . . . ? " But Janni was standing with her face in her hands in a storm of tears, girdleless and with only one legging on. Dr'Anya reached out, put her hand on the girl's shoulder which was shaking with 144 |