"Give up?" she said.
Arl looked up at George. "I tried."
"Nuts," said George. "You may think the female is stronger in the fourth dimension, but you're in the third dimension now. If Arl—"
Arl needed that encouragement. He smiled now, and this time his smile was the grim certain one. "Why not?" he said. "Something there—different dimension, different laws apply, and if I can do it once, do it now—"
He writhed fiercely in Narka's grip, and George watched. Someone was knocking at the door. "Open up. Hey, open up in there! I saw you at the window, so I know you're there. What the hell did you throw them pins out for? Open up!"
The knocking became more urgent.
It was important, it was vital. But George hardly heard it. Here at his feet he saw a culture changing. Arl forced his wife slowly up and back, and then Arl was in control. He sat on the floor and Narka was draped across his lap and he was spanking her.
"Remarkable," Myra said.
Narka began to cry. With each downward stroke of Arl's hand, she cried. And by the look on the king's face, George could tell that Arl was having the time of his life.
He didn't want to stop. He was enjoying himself too much, after all these years, and he was in no mood to stop. But George pulled him away. "She's had enough."