Clovis took a drink and set the glass down. "Tell him that I must get back to my garden quickly, so I will not have the time to sail. Tell him I accept his offer and will be ready shortly."

"Very well," said Diltz, turning toward me. "Samas had to meet a client in Bern and will return in the morning. He told me to tell you that you are welcome to return to Morocco and stay with him as long as you like. He said he is returning to Rabat tomorrow afternoon, via Tunis."

"Thank you," I said in a sigh.

"Is there any message in case he calls?" asked the caretaker.

"No. I suppose I'll just see him tomorrow," I said deflated.

"Very well. Your food will be right out gentlemen." He retreated back through the kitchen door.

The old man grabbed a roll and broke it in two. "You act as if you had just received bad news instead of an invitation. Is his hospitality so bad as that?"

"No that's not it at all," I said quickly.

"Well, what then?"

"It's just that I have a lot to think about right now."

He nodded thoughtfully. "There is something I am curious about."

"What's that?"

"Samas' gift to you last night."

"What about it?"

"Is his 'generous offer' as he called it what is burdening you?"

"Is it that obvious?"

He shook his head. "No, but I can tell it has you occupied." He shifted back in his seat. "When someone first enters the Cognomina, there is a tendency for him to be awed by or enamored of those that welcome him. In such a context it is often difficult for that newcomer to stand up, or say no to someone who he perceives to be his senior. I want to assure that this need not be the case. We are all equals here."

I knew that wasn't true by the deference the others had shown him. "Thank you, Clovis. I appreciate the concern but that's not it really. I don't have a problem with telling him no. I'm leaning toward yes actually. It's a matter of timing more than anything else. He is very excited about recovering something very dear to him and I'm trying to catch my breath from the changes that my life has undergone. I can't blame him for his enthusiasm, but..." I said ending the sentence with a shrug.

"Perhaps a period of introspection would be in order."

"Yes, I agree."

"But you believe such a period would be tainted if you were a guest in his home."

"Yes," I said, making a mental note of his acumen.

Two staff girls carried in our plates, I recognized one as the pipe girl from the night before. She gave me a sly knowing smile as she sat my plate down.

"I think I have a solution to your dilemma," Clovis said as soon as we were alone again.

"What's that?"