“Good evening, gentlemen,” Goonong Besar greeted as we entered the dining room next evening; “have you decided upon our little proposition?”
“But certainly,” de Grandin assured him. “If we must choose between a few minutes’ conversation with the octopus and a lifetime, or even half an hour’s sight of your neither-black-nor-white face, we cast our vote for the fish. He, at least, does what he does from nature; he is no vile parody of his kind. Let us go to the fish-house tout vite, Monsieur. The sooner we get this business completed, the sooner we shall be rid of you!”
tout vite, MonsieurGoonong Besar’s pale countenance went absolutely livid with fury. “You insignificant little fool,” he cried, “I’ll teach you to insult me! Ha-room!” he sent the call echoing through the marble-lined cave.
