Willy cut into his thoughts.
"He's going to read the entire chapter!"
Walther turned to Maria to see if she shared his excitement. It was the aloof, controlled Maria who smiled faintly at him. It was obvious she had come against her will, and was trying to be gracious about it.
A middle-aged couple arrived.
"Dr. and Mrs. Althuss," Willy whispered. "He's the famous heart surgeon...."
The next arrival was a distinguished looking man whose fingers shook with nervousness.
"That's the World Government alternate delegate from England," Willy whispered again. "It wouldn't do his reputation any good for word to get out that he spent an evening in this Bohemian crowd...."
Their hostess moved to the center of the room, raised her hand and announced:
"We're all here now. Please go ahead, Lorne."
The room quieted instantly. The thin little man proudly began in the old English: