It's a hugeous great State, and I can't always tell the
right thing to do, and I haven't time for all I want to do, and here's the
winter coming on and all.'
"He put half his beard into his mouth, all red like the gold of his crown.
"'I'm sorry, Daniel,' says I. 'I've done all I could. I've drilled the men and
shown the people how to stack their oats better; and I've brought in those
tinware rifles from Ghorband--but I know what you're driving at. I take it
Kings always feel oppressed that way.'
"'There's another thing too,' says Dravot, walking up and down. 'The winter's
coming, and these people won't be giving much trouble, and if they do we can't
move about. I want a wife.'
"'For Gord's sake leave the women alone!' I says. 'We've both got all the work
we can, though I am a fool. Remember the Contrack, and keep clear o' women.'"
"'The Contrack only lasted till such time as we was Kings; and Kings we have
been these months past,' says Dravot, weighing his crown in his hand. 'You go
get a wife too, Peachey--a nice, strappin', plump girl that'll keep you warm
in the winter. They're prettier than English girls, and we can take the pick
of 'em. Boil 'em once or twice in hot water, and they'll come out like chicken
and ham.
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