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"We’re in sticky negotiations, asking the upmaybe your parasols would appeal"

"Oh, e?"

"I’ll buy you replace Of course you may have them Well, not all of theet ho one of your mother’s specials as well I have decoration plans for that, which should result in not needing ered forward to dump a full dozen parasols of different shapes, sizes, colours, and decorations in the centre of the circle

While the visitors crowded forward, grabbing for their favourites, Rue said, "That’s very generous, Prim Thank you"

"And you mock ive theoes to show you that parasols truue because, really, Pri very philanthropic

"Any other ideas?"

Between thes All their available perfulassware fro, two silver candlesticks, three thick fuzzy carpets showing Uncle Rabiffano’s impeccable taste, two dozen scones, some muffins, several tins of spices, and four of Prireement

Still the Drifters seemed reluctant to make any concrete prooods sufficient," explained Anitra, when Rue and Pris "It’s that they believe the quest ill-on or portent"

"Hoe arrange a portent?" Rue was not above fabricating fate, if it would not be te up, because cats have perfect tih, the little tuxedo was enjoying full run of the ship with Tasherit confined to her roo a social beastie, strutted into the exact centre of the circle Naturally, with everyone focused there, he assuhts

The crowd fell into a shocked silence as the cat trotted around, twitching his whiskers at hats, parasols, perfu at this or that The silence stretched as heeveryone’s feet The Drifters held perfectly still Satisfied that he had clai for cat-kind, Footnote flopped in front of Percy, showing his belly – cat language for "scratch my neck but don’t you dare actually touch the belly" Footnote had handsos which went up to his throat He also had white spats, i white whiskers, and a white tail tip He was quite the natty dresser After receiving the requisite neck scratches, he sat back up, stuck his rear foot high into the air, and proceeded to give hiood wash in a most indelicate area

Primrose was enormously embarrassed She bent forward from her chair to shoo him away

Floote stopped her "No, Miss Tunstell, watch"

Aleaders began talking to one another in hushed tones

The suppressed tension ripping the knobby handle that activated various secret weapons She began categorising the arht be e number of people

Floote said, "I don’t think that will be necessary, Lady Akeldama See?"