Page 20 of Circle of Days
“Well done,” said Wun.
“I shan’t go back to the Monument. No point.”
“I don’t suppose they’d have you, anyway,” Wun said. “They were very cross.”
That annoyed Cog, and Seft saw his mouth turn down at the corners. But Wun was not intimidated. He had no fear of Cog. Seft liked him for that.
Wun said to Cog: “That beef looks just about ready. Smells good, too.”
“Does it?” said Cog. He was not going to offer Wun any.
Seft dumped the rubbish from the basket and returned to the edge of the pit. Wun caught sight of him and said: “Here’s the cause of all the trouble. I gather you’ve had a lazy day, Seft.”
Seft wanted someone to acknowledge his achievement. “If you want to know how I’ve spent the day, Wun, look at the lintel over that doorway. It had collapsed, and the house was going to fall down.”
Wun said: “But you haven’t strapped it.”
“Yet it looks sturdy, doesn’t it? Give the lintel a push, Wun. See if it moves.”
Wun did so and the lintel did not budge. “How did you do that?” Wun said.
“The lintel is fixed to the doorposts with pegs.”
Wun was fascinated. “Who told you how to do that?”
“No one. I was thinking about the problem, here on my own, and I tried out some ideas.”
Wun stared at Seft with his yellow eyes. “Truly?”
Seft was irritated by Wun’s skepticism. “No one else knows how to do this!” he said indignantly. “I invented it.”
“Well done.” There was admiration in Wun’s expression now. That partly made up for Cog’s rejection. Wun turned to Cog and said: “You must be pleased.”
Cog did not look at Wun. “I told him to clear up the pit floor.”
Wun laughed and shook his head incredulously. “That’s my friend Cog.” Looking thoughtful, he went on: “I like your boy and I’d be glad to employ him. Would you let him go?”
“No, thanks,” said Cog.
“Really?” Wun was surprised. “The way you treat him I thought you’d be glad to get rid of him.”
“That’s my business.”
“Of course, Cog, of course it’s your business, but I’d make it worth your while.”
“The answer’s no,” Cog said obstinately. “And it’s not going to change.”
“Oh, well.” Wun accepted the decision. “Congratulations, anyway, Seft.” He swept the group with his glance. “Enjoy your beef. May the Sun God smile on you all.”
“And on you,” said Seft, but the others remained silent.
Seft watched Wun go.
Cog said to him: “Why are you standing around? That pit isn’t clean yet.”
Seft went back down the pole.
Seft carried on after dark, working by starlight. When at last he finished, everyone else had retired, and the gate of the house was in place.
