'I'm very glad to hear that, Sir,' she said, and hard though it would once had been for her to believe it, she meant it.
'I wouldn't miss it for the world, Ms. Hearns,' he told her, and rose behind his desk. 'Some of my compatriots have seen fit t' express contempt for Grayson. They seem t' feel that such a primitive and backward planet can't possibly have anythin' t' offer a star nation so sophisticated and advanced as our own. I never happened t' agree with that position, and if I ever had, I certainly wouldn't now. Especially not after havin' the honor and considerable privilege of seein' firsthand just what sort of young women Grayson will be calling t' the service of the Sword. And havin' seen it, I intend t' be there when the first of them receives the recognition she so richly deserves.'
