I needed someone to take care of me. Why she ever
loved me I don't know, but she's always been there. She always seems to
know, is always home when I need her. Damn! We'll go get her and take
her home. You'd better come with me. I need a witness and somebody to
keep
me from strangling that thing!"
33 As they walked Red Cat looked at Shy Fox. "Why didn't you ever make
her leave me?" he asked. "You've wanted her for years. People sometimes
wonder whose mate she really is, yours, or, mine. There's not a
Speaker in the city that wouldn't have broken our contract, First
Speaker or not.
34 Why do you two put up with it, nursemaiding me all the time,
catching a few moments together, when you can? Why didn't you ever just
take her home
and keep her?"
35 "You can borrow something," explained Shy Fox, "that belongs to
someone else, and enjoy it. But you must always return it. It does not
belong to you. We spoke of it a couple of times, but both of us knows
it couldn't be.
36 For all your faults, she loves you. And I am like your brother.
Brothers do not steal what belongs to the other. You have always known
our love exists. You have never questioned it, or been angry about it.
We can do no less for you.
37 And the scandal if she left you, might be more than the Land could
bear. The people know your faults and they live with them, but slapping
them
in the face with them might be too much."
38 "I wish I was like you," muttered Red Cat, "Duty, always duty. Every
damn thing you do.... duty. Never yourself....the Land, the people,
first,