"Oh, I do. Dear, I do, of course, I do. They're going to blow up the world.... I'd like to see Herb and talk it over with him." He made soothing motions with his hands.
Bud's face, round and smiling and vacant, peered down. She wanted to throw something at it. She wanted to launch herself upon him and shake him and make him listen to her. He was a monolithic caricature of stupidity. She had to force herself into his mind and make him see.
Bud came no closer to her. "Now, now, everything's going to be all right," he said. "Now, now, brother's little sister is...." He took a half step backward.
She was able to see him for the first time as Frank saw him. A little sense of horror was born and began to grow. She stared at him with slowly vanishing disbelief. How could someone like this be her brother? He was some cold, unfeeling, insensitive thing, wrapped up in a world that embraced no one but himself.
"What have you done to Frank?" she demanded. "Bud, what have you done to my brother?"
Bud half snarled.
And the Oligarch stepped out of the little room to the left. "I think it's about time I take over."
Norma felt her heart pulse and stop cold. Ice filled the air.
Bud said, staring at her with fascination, "She's going crazy, George."
Norma turned to the Oligarch. "What did you make him do to Frank?"