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rather just stay here?
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Oh, no, sir, Rico said. Of course it s my job to be with you, whenever I m
needed.
Yourjob, said Ett, emphasizing the word, is to do what I want. And I m
giving you the choice you can stay here while we go, or you can wait at the
plane inSan Diego , or whatever. I ll manage, either way. He paused for a
reply.
I d rather stay with you as long as possible, Mr. Ho, Rico said. I
appreciate your consideration, but doing my job makes me happy, and this seems
the best way for me.
Ett nodded.
***
When the door with the red letters opened, Maea stepped forward and put her
arms around Malone, who responded with a grin and a hug of his own. Ett simply
stood on the top step, watching them in the doorway and very surprised. After
a moment they all stepped inside and Malone led the way through the dim halls
to his sitting room.
The evening had been warmer than the last time Ett was here, and now the
fireplace was dark and cool, still; but the room retained all its former
richness and warmth. Malone again took the old chair he d used before, and
Maea pulled up a large floor cushion and settled comfortably near him. Ett was
left to take the other chair, at some distance from the others.
For a few moments Maea and Malone exchanged small talk, explaining to each
other why it had been so long since their last contact, and what they had been
doing. But in a short time Maea looked up at Ett and then directed Malone s
attention back to his other guest. Malone looked across at Ett, and his old
face seemed suddenly transformed younger, and more lively, than Ett had ever
seen it. But as it regarded him, it began to change, reverting back to the
Malone Ett had met before.
So, you re here, Malone said. But why? You know I told you to wait a
year.
I know, Ett replied. But as I said, I m not here to bring up that subject
again. In fact he broke off for a moment, while Malone looked across at him
challengingly.
Actually, Ett continued, I m using you. I wanted to set up my own
reputation as an eccentric, and it seemed the best way to do that was to visit
you more often. Ett was addressing Malone but he was watching Maea for
reaction.
She smiled at him; and when he looked up Malone was laughing.
You re learning, Ho, he said. But remember that the reputation had some
bad aspects, too. Besides, you didn t mention that you re looking me over for
good ideas you can use, on how to be eccentric, eh?
He watched Ett, slyly.
All right, said Ett, I ll admit that.
You won t learn much, Malone said. There s nobody around but us so I can t
work at it. I fired my secretary and staff yesterday, you know do that every
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once in a while and get new ones. Keeps em on their toes; don t have time to
settle in and spy on me, either. He nodded.
But then, you probably figured that one out already, he said.
Yes, said Ett.
Malone nodded again but said nothing. Silence filled the room for some time,
until at last Ett stood up.
Well, he said. May as well go home.
***
The following day Al went toMiami and bought a forty-foot yacht, which he had
brought back to the island by a temporary crew. Ett gave orders to have him
begin training the security contingent as crew for the vessel, even to
arranging matching uniforms for them all. One of them was even given a bosun s
pipe and put in training to pipe Ett aboard whenever he came down to visit his
ship.
Watching from the terrace table as small forms scuttled about the ship,
learning the endless tasks that sailors have to know how to do, Ett reflected
that his reputation as an eccentric ought to be building by now.
Walking up behind him, Maea said as much. Ett glanced back and up at her.
Yes, he said, and smiled. Of course, it keeps them all busy and out of the
way, too not to mention the fact they re very tired when they get back on
shore.
She nodded. And did I see Dr. Hoskides down there?
Yes, Ett said. He s been put in charge of shipboard medicine for me, so
he s busy trying to prepare facilities and learn how to be a sea-going
doctor.
He leaned forward to hit the phone stud that called Rico. When the secretary
appeared, Ett asked him to have Carwell and Al join them all on the terrace.
In a short time Alaric, Dr. Carwell, and Maea were all seated with him at the
table. Standing he had politely declined to sit was Rico.
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