Fledgling by Steve Miller, Sharon Lee Read Free Book Online Page B

those walls, and the floors—all white and slick. Easy to clean and to sanitize, I suppose, but not very restful." She glanced at Theo. "In my opinion, of course."
    "Not only that," Theo said feelingly, "you can hardly stand up without your feet sliding out from under you!"
    "Yes," said Gorna Dail placidly. "I remember that, too." She stroked the rug on Theo's lap again, frowning slightly, and reached out, running an expert thumb down the side of the stack.
    "You were a Visiting Expert?" Theo asked, diverted.
    "Oh, yes. Years and years ago. Before you were born, I daresay. It's what I did, in those days, to make a name for myself. You won't believe me, maybe, but I have two master certifications, from University itself."
    Theo looked at her, but the older woman's attention was on the rugs. "But," she blurted, "what are you doing in Nonac—in Efraim?"
    That got her a sideways smile.
    "Hah. I had forgotten that . . . Non-academic! Everyone who is not studying or teaching is non-academic! Do you think I should be living inside the Wall?" She shook her head. "I'm retired, now."
    "Then," Theo said. "Why are you on Delgado?"
    Gorna Dail laughed. "Because, after all my traveling, I wanted to settle on a nice, quiet, boring little world, where nothing of note ever happens. And Delgado—aside the college and its great work, of course!—is certainly that. Ah." She slid her hand into the pile of rugs, and pushed them up. "Pull that one out, if you will, and tell me what you think of it."
    Theo grabbed the rug indicated, and pulled. It was heavier than she had expected, with a sheen to the mixed blues and greens that reminded her of water.
    "Betinwool and silk," Gorna Dail murmured. "It's used, but whoever owned it before me took care of it. It could pass for new."
    "New—" Theo snorted as she flipped the edge of the rug up and looked at the knots on the underside. "The new rugs at the co-op are all made out of plaslin."
    "And you won't have that, eh?" Gorna Dail smiled again. "I don't blame you in the least, Theo Waitley. Now, tell me honestly—what do you think of this rug?"
    Theo ran her hand over it, pleased with the way the nap silked along her skin, and smiled at the cool, swirling colors. It would almost, she thought, be like having her water mosaic again.
    "I like it," she said to Gorna Dail.
    "Good. Now, let's talk price."
    "All right," Theo said steadily. "How much is it?"
    Gorna Dail laughed, and sat back on her heels. "No dickering here, I see!"
    Theo looked down, cheeks hot. "I don't know what you mean," she said, her voice sounding sullen in her own ears.
    "A joke, Theo Waitley," the shopkeeper said placatingly. "Only a joke. On many worlds, in many cities, a price is . . . mutable. It changes with the weather, the time of the day, the demeanor of the buyer, the mood of the shopkeeper. It is not an entertainment of which Delgado partakes, more's the pity. So, for you, the price on the rug is forty cred."
    Theo licked her lips, and ran her hand over the rug again, which was a mistake, because it only made her want it more.
    "I can't spend that much today," she said, and looked up into the woman's face. "Could you—I can pay twenty-four cred today, if you can put it aside for me? And tomorrow—well, no, not tomorrow," she corrected herself. "I've got teamplay after class. But, I'll bring the rest the day after tomorrow for sure."
    Gorna Dail tipped her head. "And carry the rug home on the bus?"
    Theo paused, then found her solution. "I'll take a cab."
    "Excellent," the old woman said, with a slight smile; "but I think I may have a better answer, if you'll allow me."
    "I'd be glad to learn," Theo said politely, and wondered why Gorna Dail chuckled.
    "I propose this: I will charge your card for the full amount—" Theo opened her mouth—and subsided when the shopkeeper held up a hand. "Wait until you've heard it all. What I propose is charging your card for the full amount, tomorrow ."
    Theo blinked. "Can you do