William lifted his master off the floor, carried him off, and set him gently in his seat.
Finn came shakily to his feet. Letitia gave him a glass of turnip wine. Finn drank another glass as well, before he remembered he couldn't stand the stuff.
“That doesn't count as a fight,” Sabatino said. “Closer to a scrap. Don't imagine I'm through with you yet …”
“Indeed you are, though,” Calabus said, his face approaching a ruby shade again. “That man is a master of mechanical arts. I insist you treat him as such.
“Squeen William, I commend you for your help in this affair. My son would have murdered the fellow had you not stepped in to save his life. You will be severely scourged for laying your foul and nasty hands on your betters. I will personally flog you senseless until you scream for mercy. Then I will think of something worse after that. Moreover, you will not have dessert for a week. Again, I am grateful for your loyalty and your service to this house. Please get your miserable, stinking carcass out of here and bring me some cheese. Not that vile-tasting piss-colored stuff, I want the white.”
Squeen William quickly vanished behind the kitchen door. Finn, still awed by the creature's strength, wanted to thank him as well, but decided the poor fellow was in enough trouble now.
“And you, sir …” Calabus turned his rheumy eyes on Finn. “We go beyond all tradition and taste to even harbor you here. I acknowledge the debt, but it sickens me to have you in our house. Moreover, we do
Calabus wiped a greasy sleeve across his mouth, and reached for the decanter of turnip wine.
“Now. I hope we're done with that. Let's get back to subjects of greater interest. My modest contribution to science is what I'd like to pursue.”
“No,” Finn said, “I won't do that.”
“What?”
“I have no interest in your work. Not any, none at all.”
“Finn …” Letitia looked concerned.
“Don't worry, I can handle this.”
“I suggest you don't.” Sabatino grabbed the arms of his chair, poised to leap again. “You've had a taste of what happens out there. Our home is your only sanctuary. Don't make us any sorrier than we are that you sit at our table and sleep in our bed.”
Finn shook his head in wonder. “And we're safe in here? You've got killers lurking about in the dark. You've got some-some decrepit old maniac foaming at the mouth … Oh, sorry. No one's crazy here, I forgot.”
Calabus made a face. “Those are personal problems. No concern of yours.”
“I told him that,” Sabatino said. “Fellow doesn't know when to quit.”
“Desssert, sssirs and misss? Sssea Pudding, with tiny little thingss inssside. Little blackie thingsss.”
“Get out,” Sabatino shouted, “you vile, filthy Newlie dung! No offense, miss.”
“No-certainly not,” Letitia said, looking frightened, and just this side of dread.
“All of you, please.” Calabus spread his hands, looking weary, looking pained. “Master Finn and I were discussing my invention. I cannot wait to go over this together, sir, to get your invaluable suggestions. How it can be-ah-modified, changed for the better, made more useful to all mankind. Don't pretend you're not curious now, I can see the thirst for knowledge in your eyes. Damn your rotting flesh, Squeen, get that Sea Pudding in here before I drop hot coals in your ears and stick thorns in your eyes!
“At any rate,” he said, making a little tent with his hands, “I think you'll be delighted. I
Finn let out a sigh of resignation. “All right, what exactly is it? I don't believe you said.”
“It's something you really have to see.”
“Yes, I thought it might be.”
“It's-ah-it's a device.”
“A device.”
“Yes.”
“And what is the nature of this device?”
“Big.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“It's basically a very big device.”
“Well, that clears it up for me.”
“Damnation,” Sabatino groaned, “just
“I will, boy, I'm coming to that right now.”
Finn was delighted to note that Sabatino's jaw was slightly off center, and that his nose was larger than usual and out of whack. With any luck, the swelling might never go down.
“It's big. A great deal bigger than I planned. I have to say it's out of hand …”
Squeen William appeared bearing cups of something jellied and gray. Gray, apparently, was Squeen William's choice for food of every sort.
“Ah, very nice, Squeen. No one can make Sea Pudding like you. Mind you don't sneak any for yourself, or I'll slice off several of your toes.”
“Sssssomebody bees here,” Squeen said. “Ssssomebody atta door.”
“What?”
“What?”
Calabus and Sabatino looked up at once.
“Who is it,” the younger asked, “and what in damnation's he doing here?”
“Never mind,” Calabus said, “whoever it is, don't let the bastard in.”
“Already am,” said a voice behind Squeen. “Took the liberty. Know my way in the dark to my good friend's house.”
Calabus came out of his chair, gasping for breath.
“Sabatino,” he cried, grabbing a mended fork. “To arms, lad, run the fellow through! Kill him before he slays us all …!”
18
The newcomer grinned, but took a step back. “Cal, you damn fool. You're not going to slay your own kin, certainly not in the house.”
“Huh! You're no kin of mine.”
“How sad it is to be denied,” the fellow said with a sigh. “We cannot choose our relations, Cal, that's in greater hands than ours. And I'd be cautious if I were you, for you're in need of family now. Folk who'll stand by you, no matter what your crime …”
Calabus came out of his chair as quickly as his scrawny frame allowed.
“Damn your treacherous hide, what the hell are you talking about, what are you up to now?”
He had to look up at the man, who was tall and gaunt as a scarecrow, a hollow-cheeked fellow with a bony nose and balding hair. He looked as old as Calabus himself, yet he carried himself with some stature and pride.
“I'd as soon poke a hole in your gut right here,” Calabus muttered, “Don't have to go outside. Son, draw that sticker and do your duty now.”
“Dr. Nicoretti,” Sabatino said, “my esteemed uncle, who, as you'll note, is totally despised in this house. Uncle, Master Finn and Mistress Letitia, who are staying with us until their vessel-arrives. You have seen this gentleman before, but I doubt you'd recall. He was somewhat farther away mutilating Father on a rack at the time.”
“I know who they are,” the doctor said, glancing at the pair as if he hadn't noticed them before. A glance and then away as if a longer look might taint him somehow.
