Padway waited patiently. "I have a small gift for you, my lord. A rather unusual—"
"Eh? Gift? By all means. Let's see it."
Padway took out the case and opened it.
Thiudahad piped: "Eh? What the devil is that?"
Padway explained the function of a magnifying glass. He didn't dwell on Thiudahad's notorious nearsightedness.
Thiudahad picked up a book and tried the glass on it. He squealed with delight. "Fine, my good Martinus. Shall I be able to read all I want without getting headaches?"
"I hope so, my lord. At least it should help. Now, about my business here—"
"Oh, yes, you want to see me about publishing Cassiodorus. I'll fetch him for you."
"No, my lord. It's about something else." He went on quickly before Thiudahad could interrupt again, telling him of his difficulty with Liuderis.
"Eh? I never bother my local military commanders. They know their business."