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Show brave." He thought that over for a moment, dismissing his fearful rides through space, spying out computer libraries. "I have never had occasion to be brave, being a. . .Bauercrat." He frowned darkly, and took a deep breath. "Thou art full grown," Rollanda said, shaking a finger at him. "Thou shouldst pair with some good woman." She smiled and continued affably: "Thou thinkest mayhap that thou art too ugly " "Paired I never," he broke in, "not because I felt I was ugly, but because I was a. . .Bauercrat." Rollanda's eyebrows went up. "There be no women among the Bauercrats?" Phrapp slapped the chair beside him in exasperation. "There are women on top of women among the Bauercrats! I was not interested in pairing with any of them! " Rollanda nodded her head. "Truly, they be all mad. . .aye. . -" "NaynaynayNay," growled Phrapp, his face like a thundercloud. "They are not all mad," remembering the swordswoman Jensen, among others, and the legendary Farquar, that master of manipulation, whom he had longed ever and always to meet in person one day. "Paired I never because..." He sat down and began tightening his cloak clasp with one hand. "...because the only woman I ever wished for was of another class." He looked from under his eyebrows at the giantess above him. "Now go away." he said, "for I am full weary." He turned around and called up a segment of the new power system. Rollanda looking at him ingenuously, said, "But what class be it that this woman..." She broke off and looked at him thoughtfully. Phrapp, 345 |