"I'd like to go on record," Magnan piped, "as registering my deep gratification at this fulfillment of popular aspirations—"
"The most popular aspiration I know of is to live high off someone else's effort," Retief said. "I don't know of anyone outside the Corps who's managed it."
"Gentlemen!" Sternwheeler bellowed. "I'm awaiting your constructive suggestions—not an exchange of political views. We'll arrive off Glave in less than six hours. I should like before that time to have developed some notion regarding to whom I shall expect to offer my credentials!"
There was a discreet tap at the door; it opened and the young Third Secretary poked his head in.
"Mr. Ambassador, I have a reply to your message—just received from Glave. It's signed by the Steward of the GFE, and I thought you'd want to see it at once...."
"Yes, of course; let me have it."
"What's the GFE?" someone asked.
"It's the revolutionary group," the messenger said, passing the message over.
"GFE? GFE? What do the letters SIGNIFY?"