Thorby said slowly, “I promise.”
“I don’t mean just lying about the money you’ve been holding out on me, either. I mean anything. By the way, a mattress is no place to hide money. Look at me, Thorby. You know I have connections throughout the city.”
Thorby nodded. He had delivered messages for the old man to odd places and unlikely people. Baslim went on, “If you steal. I’ll find out . . . eventually. If you lie to me, I’ll catch you . . . eventually. Lying to other people is your business, but I tell you this: once a man gets a reputation as a liar, he might as well be struck dumb, for people do not listen to the wind. Never mind. The day I learn that you have stolen anything . . . or the day I catch you lying to me . . . I sign your papers and free you.”
Yes, Pop.”
“That’s not all. I’ll kick you out with what you had when I bought you — a breechclout and a set of bruises. You and I will be finished. If I set eyes on you again, I’ll spit on your shadow.”
“Yes, Pop. Oh, I never will, Pop!”
“I hope not. Go to bed.”
Baslim lay awake, worrying, wondering if he had been too harsh. But, confound it, it was a harsh world; he had to teach the kid to live in it
He heard a sound like a rodent gnawing; he held still and listened. Presently he heard the boy get up quietly and go to the table; there followed a muted jingle of coins being placed on wood and he heard the boy return to his pallet.
When the boy started to snore he was able to drop off to sleep himself.
Chapter 3
Baslim had long since taught Thorby to read and write Sargonese and Interlingua, encouraging him with cuffs and other inducements since Thorby’s interest in matters intellectual approached zero. But the incident involving Ziggie and the realization that Thorby was growing up reminded Baslim that time did not stand still, not with kids.
Thorby was never able to place the time when he realized that Pop was not exactly (or not entirely) a beggar. The extremely rigorous instruction he now received, expedited by such unlikely aids as a recorder, a projector, and a sleep instructor, would have told him, but by then nothing Pop could do or say surprised him — Pop knew everything and could manage anything. Thorby had acquired enough knowledge of other beggars to see discrepancies; he was not troubled by them — Pop was Pop, like the sun and the rain.
They never mentioned outside their home anything that happened inside, nor even where it was; no guest was ever there. Thorby acquired friends and Baslim had dozens or even hundreds and seemed to know the whole city by sight. No one but Thorby had access to Baslim’s hideaway. But Thorby was aware that Pop had activities unconnected with begging. One night they went to sleep as usual; Thorby awakened about dawn to hear someone stirring and called out sleepily, “Pop?”
“Yes. Go back to sleep.”
Instead the boy got up and switched on the glow plates. He knew it was hard for Baslim to get around in the dark without his leg; if Pop wanted a drink of water or anything, he’d fetch it. “You all right, Pop?” he asked, turning away from the switch.
Then he gasped in utter shock. This was a stranger, a gentleman!
“It’s all right, Thorby,” the stranger said with Pop’s voice. Take it easy, son.”
“Pop?”
“Yes, son. I’m sorry I startled you — I should have changed before I came back. Events pushed me.” He started stripping off fine clothing.
When Baslim removed the evening headdress, he looked more like Pop . . . except for one thing. “Pop . . . your eye.”
“0h, that. It comes out as easily as it went in. I look better with two eyes, don’t I?”
“I don’t know.” Thorby stared at it worriedly. “I don’t think I like it”
“So? Well, you won’t often see me wear it. As long as you are awake you can help.”