"Shut up," Ronson said.
Fire flashed at him. "Hasn't it occurred to you that you are in danger of getting your pretty little throat slit if you talk out of turn here?" Ronson whispered.
"Even ze noffers outside are on ze listen," the waiter added.
"What about me? Am I on it?" Jennie asked.
The waiter showed great astonishment. "But of course not. You are a female."
"What difference does that make?" This time the fire really shot from her eyes.
"How long do you have to wait after you're on the listen?" Ronson hastily asked.
The waiter spread his hands and twisted his shoulders. "Who knows? Some of ze noffers outside have been waiting since last wind time—"
"Almost an Earth year," Ronson said, calculating rapidly. Once during each circle of the sun the great winds blew across Mars. This was the biggest natural event on the planet. Since it occurred with the regularity of clock work, it served as the starting point for their year.
"Sometimes ze great Les Ro call you right away," the waiter said.