"There's not enough difference between us to matter, sir. Of tearing an alien to pieces, sir."
Extrone laughed harshly. "It's 'sir' whenever you contradict me?"
Lin's face remained impassive. "I guess it seems that way. Sir."
"Damned few people would dare go as far as you do," Extrone said. "But you're afraid of me, too, in your own way, aren't you?"
Lin shrugged. "Maybe."
"I can see you are. Even my wives are. I wonder if anyone can know how wonderful it feels to have people all afraid of you."
"The farn beasts, according to the manual...."
"You are very insistent on one subject."
"... It's the only thing I know anything about. The farn beast, as I was saying, sir, is the particular enemy of men. Or if you like, of aliens. Sir."
"All right," Extrone said, annoyed. "I'll be careful."