LII

     "At your call."

      The porter bordered the locks of the gate and then opened. Took him quite the while before he was able to pull the gate to himself. He probably had been having his best time. Probably he was an offshoot of merry, or the leftover of pain. As he opened the gate, he caught the glimpse of the lad firstly, then the Cod, then what? A leopard, hell! He had only seen leopard at the arena when he did have the opportunity to visit there once. He hadn't seen one like very close. He knew he might simply collapse but that was not the best thing to do. If he did collapse, the leopard might yet eat his unconscious draw. He wouldn't watch that happen. No of course! He wouldn't be able to watch it happen. He was just going to feel the pangs and odds all over him. He hated that feeling. He didn't want to savor it. He didn't want to have a taste of such bile. Twould bruise his mercy and make his breath