Obedient to a nod from the trooper, Phil retires, empty-handed, to the other end of the gallery. Mr. Smallweed, reassured, falls to rubbing his legs.
"And you're doing well, Mr. George?" he says to the trooper, squarely standing faced about towards him with his broadsword in his hand. "You are prospering, please the Powers?"
Mr. George answers with a cool nod, adding, "Go on. You have not come to say that, I know."
"You are so sprightly, Mr. George," returns the venerable grandfather. "You are such good company."

Obedient to a nod from the trooper, Phil retires to the other end of the gallery. Mr. Smallweed begins rubbing his legs.
"And you're doing well, Mr. George?" he says to the trooper, squarely standing with his broadsword in his hand. "You are prospering?"
Mr. George answers with a cool nod, adding, "Go on. You have not come to say that, I know."
