"But diplomatic usage—"
"Then, too, the less that's put in writing, the less they can blame you for, if anything goes wrong."
"That's true," said Magnan, lips pursed. "Now you're thinking constructively, Retief. We may make a diplomat of you yet." He smiled expansively.
"Maybe. But I refuse to let it depress me." Retief stood up. "I'm taking a few weeks off ... if you have no objection, Mr. Ambassador. My pal Whonk wants to show me an island down south where the fishing is good."
"But there are some extremely important matters coming up," said Magnan. "We're planning to sponsor Senior Citizen Groups—"
"Count me out. All groups give me an itch."
"Why, what an astonishing remark, Retief! After all, we diplomats are ourselves a group."
"Uh-huh," Retief said.
Magnan sat quietly, mouth open, and watched as Retief stepped into the hall and closed the door gently behind him.