She gave his elongated snout a last, affectionate twitch, and he released her resignedly. “Big party tonight?” “Full symposium,” she said. “Azfel says it’s good for business.” She huffed disgustedly. “Why should anyone think about business at a symposium?” “Traders always think about business. That’s why they’re traders.” Her husband called again, and she hurried away. She found him in full symp dress, squirming back and forth impatiently while his own mate looked on in rapt admiration. “Someone has arrived!” he hissed. “On time?” she gasped. She gazed at him in horror. “Who would have such filthy manners?” “Why don’t you go and find out? To think that I married you because I thought you’d make an excellent hostess! You don’t even have your feathers preened, and there are guests waiting.” “It never happened before,”
