"I think," she said, "that we are quite ready to go on with the
thirteenth chapter."

"But I think," said Benis, "that it would be much nicer to go
fishing."

"Why?"

"Well, it's Friday, for one thing. Do you really think it safe to
begin the thirteenth chapter on a Friday?"

His secretary's smile was dutiful, but her lips were firm. "We
didn't do a thing-yesterday," she reminded him. "I couldn't find you
anywhere and no one knew where you were."

"I was--just around," vaguely.

"Not around here," Desire was uncompromising. "Benis, I think we
should really be more businesslike. We should have talked this
thirteenth chapter over yesterday. I see you have a note here for
some opening paragraphs on The Apprehension of Color in Primitive
Minds--"

A cascade of goblin laughter from Yorick interrupted her.

"Yorick is amused," said Benis. "He knows all about the apprehension
of color in primitive minds. He advises us to go fishing."

Desire watched him stroke the bird's bent head with a puzzled frown.