TheliongrumbledalittleinhisthroatbuttrottedoffintothehousewiththemosttougobediendItookbreath,again--InoticedIdsomehowmatoforsomelittletime--andsankintoohewhitemetalterracechairs.Mypoorheartwasgoingpit-a-pat,Itellyou,butthepersonagewhohadatlastappearedfromsomewhereinthedarkeningpouherapologisedfornorexpressedaboutmynastyshock.Shestoodthere,armsakimbo,surveyihasatirical,pierg,blueeye.

    Exceptforthejarringcircumstahatinonehandsheheldastaieel,many-brancheddlestickofawesomelychastedesign,shelookedlikeasuperannuatedlumberjack,plaidshirt,bluejeans,workboots,butchleatherbeltwithagiantsilverskullandcrossbonesforabuckle,coarse,cropped,greyhairesgfromaredbandanatiedIndian-stylearoundherhead.HerskinwaswrinkledinpinprickslikethesurfaceofParmesancheeseandaputtygreyincolour.

    "Youtheoseaboutthethesis?"shequeried.Herdiurehillbilly.

    Iburbledintheaffirmative.

    "Heseaboutthethesis,"sherepeatedtoherselfsardonicallyanddisfortedmestillfurtherbyagaincagtoherself.

    ButnolittingroarannouionwasabouttoehisMa,orPa,Kettlepersodownherdlestitheterracetable,brisklystruckamattheseatofherpantsandappliedtheflametothewicks,dissipatiheringtwilightasSherolledoutthedoor.Rolled.Shesatinaeandivoryleatherwheel-chairasifuponaportablethrone.Herrighthaednegligentlyonthelionsmane.Shewasasighttosee.

    Howlonghadshespentdressingupfortheinterview?Hours.Days.Weeks.Shehadonawhitesatinbias-cutlace-trimmednegligeecirca1935,herskinhadthatsugaralmond,onehundredpertMaxFac