"But, my lord—" and Padway gave the king a little sales talk on the importance of the telegraph company.
"Eh? A money-making scheme, you say? If it's as good as all that, why wasn't I let in on it at the start?"
That rather jarred Padway. He said something vague about there not having been time. King Thiudahad wagged his head. "Still, that wasn't considerate of you, Martinus. It wasn't loyal. And if people aren't loyal to their king, where are we? If you deprive your king of an opportunity to make a little honest profit, I don't see why I should interfere with Liuderis on your account."
"Well, ahem, my lord, I did have an idea—"
"Not considerate at all. What were you saying? Come to the point, my good man, come to the point."
Padway resisted an impulse to strangle this exasperating little man. He beckoned Fritharik, who was standing statuesquely in the background. Fritharik produced a telescope, and Padway explained its functions. . . .
"Yes, Yes? Very interesting, I'm sure. Thank you, Martinus. I will say that you bring your king original presents."
Padway gasped; he hadn't intended giving Thiudahad his best telescope. But it was too late now. He said: "I thought that if my lord king saw fit to . . . ah . . . ease matters with your excellent Liuderis, I could insure your undying fame in the world of scholarship."
"Eh? What's that? What do you know about scholarship? Oh, I forgot; you're a publisher. Something about Cassiodorus?"
Padway repressed a sigh. "No, my lord. Not Cassiodorus. How would you like the credit for revolutionizing men's idea about the solar system?"