I'm About To Commence Four

Don't Call Me 'gentleman'. I Work For A Livin'.

Either I've Turned Stupid, Or Life's Turned Hard.

Gran, For The Gods' Love, It's Talk Like Yours That Starts Riots!" I Said Keeping My Voice Down. "will You Just Put A Stopper In It?" She Looked At Me And Sighed. "girl, Do You Ever Take A Breath And Wonder If Folk Don't Put Out Bait For You? To See If You'll Bite? You'll Never Get A Man If You Don't Relax." My Dear Old Gran. It's A Wonder Her Children Aren't Every One Of Them As Mad As Priests, If She Mangles Their Wits As She Mangles Mine. "granny, "i Told Her, "this Is Dead Serious. I Can't Relax, No More Than Any Dog. I'm Not Shopping For A Man. That's The Last Thing I Need.

Tortall And The Queens Riders!

Pounce Had It Easier Than Any Of Us. No One Noticed A Black Cat In The Street. He Stopped Here And There To Sniff Aught Of Interest. Wherever Our Rat Stopped, Pounce Was There, Close Enough To See Up The Rat's Nose. I Was So Proud. Now There Was A Proper God, Making Himself Useful! Since My Thought Might Be Deemed Blasphemy, I Said Silent Prayers To The Goddess And To Mithros. I Begged Forgiveness And Asked Them Not To Misunderstand. Since I Wasn't Blasted Where I Stood, I Guess They Forgave Me, Or They Hadn't Heard My Blasphemy.