“Ask whom?”
“The Ministry of Oil.”
“Why?”
“So that they’ll hold the experiment.”
“But why can’t the institute where he’s doing his postgraduate work obtain official permission for the experiment to be held?”
“They tried, but they were refused.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
“And what makes you think they won’t refuse me?”
She laughed as if she thought what he’d said was a good joke.
“You?”
“Yes, me. Not to mention the fact that I can’t ask them when I have no idea what we’re talking about. You’ll have to send your husband here so that he can explain what I have to ask for.”
“But you know he won’t come.” She was standing now as well, and speaking without her former reticence. “He’s not that kind of man.”
“Then why in hell’s name are you asking for him, if he’s not that kind of man?!”
