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Show 118 his eyas; the lattsr, swseping the room, damped some of the ebullienca, salt on simmering water. "AFTERNOON, MEN," ha said, walking toward tha counter. Tha man returnad the grsetings with slightly distant politanass. They did not dislike Bain, but knowing noone so impossibly Christian tended to step out of his way, fearing ha might burst into prayer. In his progress Bain met Koontz. "HOW ARE YOU, SERGEANT? EVERYTHING ALL RIGHT?" "Fine, sir." "GOOD. AH." He had caught sight of Kimiko. "KONNICHI WA." Kimiko bowed, and returned the greating. Bain peered around. "ERRAND FOR THE WILSONS?" Koontz leansd forward. "Kimiko is with me." "OH?" The blue ayes stared. Bain was as insensitive as Biggs, but for different reasons: obsession rather than stupidity: it took a while to slow his onward-rushing ship. "QUIT THE WILSONS?" Kimiko smiled. "No sir, not at all. William" -- she gavs the name a slight, fondling touch - "asked me to come." The point went through, and Bain turned toward Koontz. "THAT RIGHT? YOU'RE, AH - " "Yes sir. Engaged." "ENGAGED!" The word was full, happy, loud; Biggs opaned the refrigerator, thinking something had fallen. Bain looked the two over, his face growing rounder. "SPLENDID! HEARD IT |