She had deep black hair which fell to her
shoulders in soft waves. Most of the women here grew their hair down to
their waists, in exaggerated imitation of inner-world styles, but Mara
had more taste than that. Her eyes were a clear brown, and they met his
directly. "He was in a sharp mood, so I came along as peacemaker. You
don't seem to have needed me."
"You helped, at that; thanks. Was that true about the governorship?"
"Of course. Manning seldom brags, you should know that. He's a very
capable man, in some ways."
Rynason frowned. "He could be a lot more useful on this survey if he'd
use his talents on tightening up the survey itself. He's forcing a
premature report, and it isn't going to be worth much."
"Is that what's really bothering you?" she asked.
He tried to focus on her through the haze of the noisy bar. "Of course
it is. That, and his whole attitude toward these people."
"The Hirlaji? Are they people to you?"
He shrugged. "What are people? Humans? Or reasoning beings you can talk
to, communicate with?"
"I should think people would be reasoning beings you could relate to,"
she said softly.
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