George blanched. He wished they would concentrate on the present and stop dragging up the past.
The Head cleared his throat with a formidable rattle. "I think we can adhere to the matter at hand without involving personalities," he said. "The fact that the Pillsworth entity is a spirit of the utmost depravity has already been established in this Council so often that the whole subject begins to take on the aspect of a broken record. We'll come to that later if we must." There was another clearing of the throat. "The entity will approach the Council."
"Forgive me, your honor," one of the minor members of the Council intercepted. "But do you think that's really wise? I know it's part of the prescribed procedure, but mightn't we leave it out, just this once? I don't trust him a step nearer than he is already."
"I don't trust him that close," another of the members put in. "Couldn't we reverse the procedure and have him go away from the Council?"
The Head nodded. "You have a point there," he said. He looked at George. "Pillsworth, retreat three steps backwards and stand at attention."
"I meant go away altogether," the member murmured disappointedly. "I was hoping we could forget the whole thing."
George took three steps backwards and assumed what he supposed could pass for a position of attention. He tried to look alert.
"Is this correct, sir?" he asked.
"The entity will remain silent until requested to speak!" the Head thundered. "We'll tell you when you're wrong. Oh, brother!"