"The reaction," said Calhoun, "was normal. But if one assumption was mistaken, it could still be wrong."
"What could be wrong?" demanded Fredericks angrily.
"The assumption that they lied," said Calhoun. "Maybe Phaedra's sun is getting ready to flare. Maybe your messengers were mistaken. Maybe you were told the truth."
Fredericks spat. Calhoun said:
"Will you clean that up, please?"
Fredericks gaped at him.
"Mop," said Calhoun. He gestured.
Fredericks sneered. Calhoun waited. Murgatroyd said agitatedly:
"Chee! Chee! Chee!"
Calhoun did not move. After a long time, Fredericks took the mop and pushed it negligently over the place he'd spat on.