8 The people are crying for the right to pay them
their last respects. Considering in a way, they are responsible for
your returning, I don't think this is inappropriate. It will be four
days before the bandages can be taken off your eyes. I don't think your
ghost friends would mind."
9 "Nor do I," agreed North.
10 Five days later the bandages came off. Except for being extremely
sensitive to bright light, North's eyes functioned perfectly. For the
rest of his life he would have to wear protective glasses to avoid the
severe pain that a sudden increase in light caused, but he found this a
small inconvenience.
11 He and his entire crew attended the services for the crew of The
Ain't Been There Yet and served as pallbearers afterwards. North and
his family gathered at The First Speaker's residence with Morn's family.
12 There was quite a crowd! Both North and Morn had ignored the birth
regulations in the last few years, using every trick in the book to
have more children. Between North's two wives seven of his children sat
around the table, plus a couple of adopted ones.
13 Morn's wife had not been outdone, herself! Four children sat on
their side of the table, plus the adopted ones that were so near to
them.
14 After the meal they all sat in the entertainment room watching the
recently released record of North's newest adventure. After it was
over, one of his children climbed in North's lap. "Father," she asked,
"mother has been reading me the stories of The Old Hashons. She told me
that Books were written about all Their Great Speakers and the great
warriors that served Them. Will Books be written about you and Morn?"
15 North laughed. "Never about me!" he answered. "Perhaps about Morn,
for he is The First Speaker, but I am insignificant. The Hashon
Writings are about very