melilot

She was much surprised, therefore, to be summoned to Melilot's room half an hour later.

That was why Melilot had agreed to hire her.

Melilot's mouth worked and all his colour drained away.

Without appearing to look up, she registered a tiny nod from Melilot.

What, Melilot asked himself, could have persuaded her to bring this boorish fellow here?

Fat though he was, Melilot could act briskly when he must.

She woke, once more at dawn, and found herself alone at Melilot's, as had often happened to her in the past.

Snatching the coins, Melilot made to bite them, but checked.

Reaching for his own mug, Melilot was so astonished he almost spilled the contents.

You were most royally entertained by Melilot the pinchpenny last night.

"Naturally," Melilot said in a dry tone, and had to hide another yawn.

Melilot realized that, and made an extra copy.

Never in living memory had Melilot accepted a commission without taking at least half his fee in advance.

But Melilot had foreseen all this, and she was prepared with her story and the evidence to back it up.

I told Melilot, and he was listening!

Despite his visibly good appetite, Melilot was uneasy.

Not all of Melilot's customers cared to be seen walking in off a populous and sunny roadway.

Melilot had devised it with great care and drilled her through it a dozen times during the afternoon.

Remembering, perhaps, the days when she, too, had had to wait on Melilot's pleasure after dinner, she went to help herself.

All day, since finding herself back at Melilot's, she had thought of nothing but cargo manifests and market prices and percentages!

Melilot had laughed, thinking he understood.

A shudder plus a vigorous nod made Melilot's gross body wobble under his fine robe.

If the document were in any known script or language, Melilot would certainly recognize it - whether or not he could furnish a translation.

'But Melilot swore you could read it instantly!'

Then Melilot was back, resuming his chair, sipping from his half-full wine cup.