“Is that why you came to bed?” enquired Staff.
“Sure,” agreed Mr. Iff complacently.
Staff quietly began to shed his clothing and to insert his spare frame into pajamas. Iff lay back and stared reflectively at the white-painted overhead girders.
“Got to slip it to you,” he observed presently, “for perfect mastery of the dignified reserve thing. I never knew anybody who could better control his tumultuous emotions.”
“Thanks,” said Staff drily as he wound up his watch.
“Anything ’special troubling you?”
“Why do you ask?”
“You talk so darn much.”
“Sorry if I’m keeping you awake,” said Staff politely.
“Oh, I don’t mean to seem to beef about it, only ... I was wondering if by any chance you’d heard the news?”