Let us study this, said the younger envoy from Paraguay.
I doubt that there's a need, said Ansset, following Kyaren's advice. This is very little different from your own proposal. Indeed, we were quite pleased with the fairness with which you approached the problem. Ansset began parrying the various objections skillfully. Kyaren and the Latin minister had already gone over with him very carefully which items could be altered and how far. Ansset's voice was reasonableness itself, gentle and friendly and warm, speaking love and appreciation to the envoys. Thank you for being willing to give a little on this point, in the interest of peace. And on this point, you can see why I cannot give in, because it would be intolerable to the others, and justly so. But we can give here, would that help? Ah, I thought it would.
Each envoy was completely convinced that Ansset was their advocate in the discussion, and when it was finished, late at night, the clerks prepared a fair copy of the new agreement and all the envoys and Ansset signed it.
And then, with peace looking quite possible, Ansset carefully looked around the table. He still did not seem tired; Control, Kyaren thought. My friends, Ansset said, I have come to respect you very much today. You have acted quickly and fairly and wisely. Now, I know that some of your governments will look at these compromises and want to change them. I don't want you to have to quarrel with your own governments. And I certainly don't want to see you or other envoys back again with the same dispute. So you may tell your governments as apologetically as you like that if they do not accept this compromise exactly as it is written here, within five days, I will rewrite the agreement to exclude that government entirely from the solution, and if after that there is any further resistance, I will remove the government from power. I mean to have this reasonable document treated as law. Do you understand?
They understood.
But there is no reason to tell them how intransigent I intend to be unless they bring up objections. I trust to your discretion and good judgment, which I have learned to respect today better than I respect my own. And now let's go to bed; I'm sure you're all as tired as I am.
When Ansset arose to leave, the envoys spontaneously applauded him.
The evening was not over yet, however. Ansset, Kyaren, and the Latin minister went from the meetingroom to a small chamber where the outgoing manager waited for them. He had been watching everything by vids all day. And now he was supposed to criticize Ansset's actions and statements, helping him to learn from his mistakes.
But you made no mistakes, the manager said, with a smile that did not, to Kyaren's eyes, look sincere. And so I can leave with an easy heart.
And he left.
He can talk about an easy heart all he likes, Ansset said to Kyaren when the man was gone. But he didn't like me.
She laughed. Can you tell Ansset why?" she asked the Latin minister.
The minister did not laugh. I don't wish to sound disrespectful of the former manager, Ansset, but no one has ever been able to deal reasonably with the Brazilians. This is the first time I've ever seen a conference end without the manager having to threaten to send in troops against them.
Ansset smiled. They're proud people, he said. I liked them.
Then the minister left, and Ansset sat down. The weariness finally showed in his face, and he was trembling. This is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, he said softly.
It should get easier, Kyaren answered, still surprised to see him showing weakness.
Look, Ansset said. I'm shaking. I never shake.
Because you used to sing, Kyaren did not say. They were both well aware of the reason why Ansset could not maintain perfect Control anymore. She helped him up from the bench where he sat.
Are you going to bed now? Kyaren asked.
Ansset shook his head. I doubt it. I couldn't sleep. Or if I forced myself to, I'd pay for it tomorrow. Break a window and chew the glass, or something. Ansset was obviously ashamed of his new weakness.
Will you come with me, then? Kyaren asked. I haven't had supper, and we could eat together and relax a little. If you don't mind.
Ansset did not mind.
8
Josif woke up more from the smell than the sound. At least the smell was the first thing he was aware of, real food cooking in the kitchen instead of the bland smell of machine food. He looked at the clock. One in the morning. He had gone to bed three hours before, knowing Kyaren would not be home until late. But real food was cooking in the kitchen, and while they had real food often-one of the luxuries they indulged in on their newly expanded salaries-they always ate it together.
He then became aware of the voices. They were not load. Kyaren's voice he knew from the cadences. The other voice he did not know. It sounded like a woman. Inwardly Josif relaxed, got out of bed, put on a robe, and walked sleepily into the front room.
In the kitchen Kyaren was making a salad, while talking to a boy who looked to be about twelve or thirteen. Their backs were to him.
Still, you handled them masterfully, Kyaren was saying.
The boy shrugged. I heard their songs and sang them back. It's easy.
For you, Kyaren said. But then, you were singing.
The boy laughed. To Josif the sound was received not so much by his ears as by his spine, tingling with the music of it. He knew now who the child was-the only person so young whose voice would have that kind of power to it, Ansset. Josif had never met him, had only seen pictures. But he did not want the boy to turn around. Instead he watched him from the back, the way his hair curled gently onto his neck, clinging with sweat from the heat of the kitchen; the way his chest sloped into his waist, which was lithe, and then did not flare at all as the lines of his body went smoothly down narrow hips to strong, well-shaped legs. His movement was graceful as he alternately leaned in to watch Kyaren's hands working and leaned out to look at her face as they talked.
Singing? the boy was asking. If that was singing, then a parrot speaks.
It was singing," Kyaren said. But then, I never had an ear."
The Songhouse, of course. Josif knew from what Ferret had said that Kyaren came from the Songhouse. But they had never talked about it. It was clearly on the list of things that Josif may know, but that Kyaren was not able to discuss. It had not really occurred to Josif, not seriously, anyway, that Kyaren might know Ansset. It was like being from a city on Earth. Even being from Seattle, far from a large town, it always seemed absurd to him when people asked, From Seattle? Why then, do you know my cousin? The name never meant anything to him. But the Songhouse wasn't so much a town as a school, was it? And Kyaren knew this boy. Who also happened to be the planet manager, and therefore the key to their advancement.
It occurred to Josif that Ansset might be helpful to them. But that thought was buried in far stronger thoughts and feelings. For then Ansset turned around and looked at him.
The pictures were poor imitations. Josif was not prepared for the eyes, which found his face as if Ansset had been looking for him for a long time; the lips that were parted just slightly, that hinted of smiles and passion; the ' translucence of the skin, which seemed smooth as marble yet deep and warm as soil in sunlight. Josif had been beautiful as a boy, but this child made him feel ugly by contrast. Josif's hands longed just to touch his cheek-it could not be as perfect as it looked.
Hi, Ansset said.
Kyaren turned around, startled. When she saw it was Josif, she was relieved. Oh, Josif. I thought you were asleep.
I was, Josif said, surprised that he could speak.
How long have you been standing there?
It was Ansset who responded: A few minutes. I heard him come in.