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Show hair stood up in the back and needed a brushing, generally. For the fastidious Brandon, his deshabille was nothing short of astonishing. Chu pulled herself together. "We must needs have a meeting with the Exalted Board of Managers," she said. "Go thee, Brandon, and make arrangements, whilst Phrapp and I . . ." Reminded of the Exalted Board, Brandon threw his hands in the air. "By all the Saints around us!" he cried. "Have I indeed a luncheon meeting with them on the morrow at the ChapelRefectory! Pray what will I say?" He jumped up and looked at Phrapp wildly. Then he frowned in concentration, and rubbed his unshaven chin with one hand. "Come, Phrapp," he said at length, "thou must sally out to the battle with me." He thought for a minute and added: "And bethink yourself of a pretty speech as a second to me, for you shall lunch at my side." "Myself?" said Phrapp, astonished. He'd never in his professional life been in the presence of the Exalted Board of Managers. His superiors had always been too fearful of the consequences to their own postions in the BauerNetwork. "Aye," said Brandon shortly- "Impressed I am indeed with a man who can spend a night with Deputy AVM Chu and live to say good morrow to his colleagues." Then he ushered Phrapp toward the opened door. Before stepping through it, Phrapp turned around and looked at the Provincial and Chu who were both glowering at him in venomous frustration. "She," said Phrapp, gesturing at Chu, "said that thou wert a wight of no consequence. . .an insignificance." He looked at the man in speculation. "But I believe thou art a wight of some consequence indeed." Phrapp smiled. "Who?" 174 |