"Q-quite right. Indeed. Indeed. That does make sense," Gorne said, dipping his head hurriedly. "W-well, I ought to take my leave then. I do think. Yes, yes. I'll be leaving."
He slipped, and very nearly tripped into the mud as he went on his way.
"I see you're as disagreeable as ever," Professor Yoreholder noted. "You could have humoured him, and made a friend."
"I do not need his kind of friendship," Oliver replied sharply.
The Professor cracked just the barest hint of a smile. "It is good to see that your principles have not changed. My husband will be glad to hear it. He was proud to hear of what you achieved in the east, though I had told him that he ought to tell you such things himself."
"He honours me," Oliver replied.
Yoreholder snorted. "You still have no patience for ceremony either. Would you be offended, if I supposed you to be one of the most endearing of my students?"
