Hepickeduphisshort-stemmedpipeandpulledsavagelyatitforawhile。DeBatzwasmeditating。
“Myfriend，“hesaidafteralittlewhile，“youareagitatingyourselfquiteunnecessarily，andgravelyjeopardisingyourprospectsofgettingacomfortablelittleincomethroughkeepingyourfingersoffmyperson。WhosaidIwantedtomeddlewiththechild？”
“Youhadbestnot，“growledHeron。
“Exactly。Youhavesaidthatbefore。Butdoyounotthinkthatyouwouldbefarwiser，insteadofdirectingyourundividedattentiontomyunworthyself，toturnyourthoughtsalittletoonewhom，believeme，youhavefargreatercausetofear？”
“Whoisthat？”