“Let’s go back and have the rest of our dinner,” she said, as the mechanism hummed to life. “Your friends can fill us in when they come back.” “If they come back,” I said glumly, watching the indicator number rise. “I think tonight’s party is over.” I reached for the controls. She swatted my hand. “You must not dwell on this, Lord Thomas!” she said. “There are times when you must let others take a task out of your sight!” I grinned, a trifle sheepishly. “I prefer to be in the midst of the action,” I said. She waved away my impatience. “I know. But to become an interpreter, one must observe, then take the experience away with one, to a place where there is space for private thought and reflection.” She peered up at me. “I know your moods. You won’t be able to settle. Let us forgo the rest of the feast. Instead, let’s make use of this boundless energy that is making you twitch.” She spoke into the control panel of the lift. “Housekeeping, please?”
