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"Eighteen minutes to be precise," he said "About two er than your usual arrivals"

"I'm sorry," she replied "Aded on later than I'd figured"

"What's his latest brainstorm?"

"A neing for the Mariti plans to obtain the artifacts"

"Artifacts?" Seagram asked

"Bits and pieces salvaged frora how little is left A life belt or two from the Lusitania, a ventilator from the Maine here, an anchor from the Bounty there; none of it housed decently under one roof"

"I should think there are better ways of blowing the taxpayer's money"

Her face flushed "What do you mean?"

"Collecting old junk," he said diffidently, "enshrining rusted and corroded bits of non-identifiable trash under a glass case to be dusted and gawked at It's a waste"

The battle flags were raised

"The preservation of ships and boats provides an important link with man's historical past" Dana's brown eyes blazed "Contributing to knowledge is an endeavor an asshole like you cares nothing about"

"Spoken like a true ist," he said

She smiled crookedly "It still frosts your balls that your wifeof herself, doesn't it?"

"The only thing that frosts e Why is it every liberated female thinks it's chic to cuss?"

"You're hardly one to provide a lesson in savoir-faire," she said "Five years in the big city and you still dress like an Omaha anvil salesman Why can't you style your hair like other o I'm embarrassed to be seen with you"