with me.” He helped her stumble toward the ship’s head.
“We’ll let you get cleaned up. Then we’ll find some way
to get that chunk of iron off you. While you’re showering
138
Alan Dean Poster
I
THE DAY OF THE DISSONANCE
139
I’ll see if I can find something for you to wear. There must
be clothes in one of the ship’s storage lockers.”
“I thank you for your kindness, sir.”
He smiled again. “That’s better. Just call me Jon-Tom.”
She nodded, leaning against him. For a minute he thought
she was going to break down in his arms. She didn’t. Not
then, and not later. The first thing she’d lost on Corroboc’s
ship was the ability to cry.
While she washed, he searched the ship’s cabinets. One
contained familiar clothing. Familiar to him, but not to any
of his companions. He made a few selections and left them
outside the shower, along with a hacksaw and a file.
He’d expected to see an improvement, but he was still
shocked when she reappeared on deck later that afternoon.
She’d removed the iron collar. Her hair was combed out
and pulled back behind her. She stood there and looked
down at herself uneasily.
“I must look passing strange in these peculiar garments.’*
“You’ll get no argument on that from me, luv.” The
flabbergasted Mudge moved closer to inspect the odd
attire. “Strange sort o’ material.” He ran a paw over one
leg, reached higher. ” ‘Ere too.”
“That’s not material,” she said angrily, knocking his
questing fingers away.
Mudge grinned as he dodged. “Fine-feelin’ material to
me, luv.”
“You try that again, water rat, and I’ll…”