Sheledon reached across and took violin and bow from her, putting them
very carefully on the table which had been cleared of all but wine
glasses. Absently he mopped a wine spill near the precious violin, one
of the few usable relics from Landing days. He gave it a loving pat
while Danja continued.
Like today,’ she said, resuming her pacing, we taught in the morning,
managed to eat something before we spent an afternoon painting so that
there will be some finished rooms for the summer term. We had five
minutes to change and even then we missed the fly-past which I, for
one,’ and she paused to jab her thumb into her sternum, wanted to see.
We’ve played two sets,’ she went on earnestly, and will undoubtedly
still be playing when the sun rises, and tomorrow will be a repeat of
today except no Gather, so we get a good night’s rest to prepare us for
more of the above, except maybe get a little work done on next term.
Which starts in a week, and then we’ll have no time at all since we now
have to prepare the teachers who’ll be graduated to carry The Word to
the outer extremities of the continent.” She gestured eastward in a
histrionic fashion, then flounced down on the chair the violin had
occupied. So how are we going to find time to do yet more research,
Clisser?” We always do find the time,’ Clisser said, his quiet
rejoinder a subtle criticism of her rant.
Use it as a history class project?” suggested Lozell brightly.
There you have the answer,’ said Bethany who had merely, as was her
habit, watched the fireworks Danja was so good at sending up. My
juniors could use an independent project.
So long as we have power to run the library,’ Danja added sourly.
We will, we will,’ Clisser said, with bright encouragement.
Kalvi had his engineers up on the heights during the fly-past working
on the sun panels. They’ll hook them up to the main banks tomorrow.
Other people worked today, you know.
Well, that’s a big consolation,’ said Danja acidly.
Clisser refilled her glass. -And we’ll need some catchy tunes and good
lyrics, too, I should think. Something to teach students from a very
early age so that they learn all the signs of a Pass before they learn
to ask questions about it.” “One and one is two, two and two are four?”
Danja sang the old multiplying song, then grinned wryly.
The song remains an effective teaching aid,’ Clisser said, filling his
glass. She 1, would you put on your composer’s hat and whip up some
simple effective tunes?” Sheledon nodded enthusiastically.
I’ve been saying for years that we ought to incorporate more basic
stuff into a musical format. Jemmy’s good at little popular airs.” Most
of his songs were geared to show off the talent of his soprano spouse,
Sydra, who taught history and, in her spare time, was chronicling the
early years of the colony.
Bethany’s face lit up with a great smile. Jemmy was a favourite pupil
of hers, and she was his staunchest champion.
Even Danja looked mollified.
So,’ Clisser went on, having solved one of his immediate problems,
what shall we do in the next set?” Just like that?” Danja demanded.
“What’ll we do in this set?” Clisser, will you get real!’ Clisser
looked hurt. Bethany leaned over and patted his hand, smiling
encouragingly.
What did you mean by that, Danja?” Clisser asked.
Don’t you realize what a huge responsibility you just so casually.. .
and Danja lifted wide her arms, flinging her hands skyward in
exasperation, laid on us all?” Nothing we can’t solve, dear,’ Bethany
said in her gentle manner. With a little thought and time.
Back to time again. Do we have time?” Lozell was back in the
discussion. Especially if the winter’s even half as bad as it was last
year . . . and it’s supposed to be, with that damned Red Planet
leering down on us… how are we going to cope?” We will. We always
do,’ Sheledon said with a sigh of resignation. Paulin will help us
out. And certainly the Weyrs do.” Danja glared at him. We’ve changed