Part 4 (2/2)

”Coffee,” said Calhoun severely, ”has become a habit with you, Murgatroyd! If this abnormal appet.i.te develops too far, you might start yawning at me, which would imply that your desire for it was uncontrollable. A yawn caused by what is called a yen has been known to make a man dislocate his jaw. You might do that. You wouldn't like it!”

Murgatroyd did not reply.

”You don't believe it, eh?” said Calhoun. Then he said: ”Murgatroyd, I'm going to spend odd moments all the rest of my life wondering about what happens to Dr. Lett! They'll kill him, somehow. But I suspect they'll be quite gentle with him. There's no way to imagine a punishment that would really fit! Isn't that more interesting than coffee?”

”Chee! Chee! Chee!” said Murgatroyd insistently.

”It wasn't wise to stay and try to make an ordinary public-health inspection. We'll send somebody else when things are back to normal.”

”Chee!!!” said Murgatroyd loudly.

”Oh, all right!” said Calhoun. ”If you're going to be emotional about it, pa.s.s you cup!”

He reached out his hand, Murgatroyd put his tiny mug in it. Calhoun refilled it. Murgatroyd sipped zestfully.

The Med s.h.i.+p Esclipus Twenty went on in overdrive, back toward sector headquarters of the Interstellar Medical Service.

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