Shea said, «I’m afraid I can’t guarantee.» but Belphebe plucked his sleeve and with her head close to his, whispered, «Do it. There is a danger here.»
«It isn’t working right,» Shea whispered back. Outside rose the mournful sound of Uath’s howling. «Can you not use your psychology on him out there?» the girl asked. «It will be magic to them.»
«A real psychoanalysis would take days,» said Shea. «Wait a minute, though — we seem to be in a world where the hysteric type is the norm. That means a high suggestibility, and we might get something out of post-hypnotic suggestion.»
Cuchulainn from the head of the table said, «It is not all night we have to wait.»
Shea turned round and said aloud, «How would it be if I took the geas off that character out there training to be a bar-room tenor? I understand that’s something Cathbadh hasn’t been able to do.»
Cathbadh said, «If you can do this, it will be a thing worth seeing, but I will not acknowledge you can do it until I have seen it.»
«All right,» said Shea. «Bring him in.»
«Laeg, dear, go get us Uath,» said Cuchulainn.
He took a drink, looked at Belphebe and his expression became morose again.
Shea said, «Let’s see. I want a small bright object. May I borrow one of your rings, Cuchulainn? That one with the big stone would do nicely.»