“Oh, no,” said Tony. “It wasn’t your fault.”
“That’s so good of you!” said Nasim. She regarded him with adoring, cowlike eyes from the flower bush. “I’ve been hiding in a crack as a little moth’s egg, waiting to tell you how sorry I am. But there’s been somebody around all the time.”
“Yes,” said Tony. “There has been.”
“Would you like me to take the form of a human woman?” asked Nasim hopefully—and giggling—“for a while?”
“You’d better wear some clo—” began Tony in apprehension. Then he said desperately, “Better not. Somebody might come in.”
Nasim beamed. “All right. But you’re going to our king’s court. I’ll see you there! I’ll be around!”
“I’m sure you will be,” said Tony dismally.
“I’m watching over you,” said Nasim beatifically. “Since I heard about what Es-Souk tried to do on my account, I made up my mind to watch over you night and day. And I will! Night and day!”
Tony stared at her, appalled. There was a small noise outside the door. Nasim said sentimentally:
“I hate to go like this, but somebody’s coming.” She beamed. “I’ll be a little grease spot on the floor. Mind, now,” she added archly, “don’t step on me!”