Mister Cerobie became strangely interested.
"Why?"
Swenson paid no attention. "What are you taking a split load for?"
"We had no choice."
"You know damn well that the broken-down old stovepipes you buy from war surplus are too slow to handle split loads. Who promised you the canned goods?"
"Lesquallan, Ltd."
"Oh, Lord!" said Swenson. "An outfit that expects lions to lie down with lambs!"
The red ship-calling light flashed on.
"Number 4 to dispatcher. This is Captain Elsing. Dovorkin...."
"Dispatcher to Number 4. Dovorkin, hell. This is Swenson. What blasts?"