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."
"But why should the draft be drawn on us?" she answered angrily.
The Captain said nothing. She went on more quietly, "The message is authentic. I thought surely it must be faked. Had I known what you intended I would have forbidden it. But, Oldest Son, stupid as you are, you were right. And debts must be paid." Her son continued to say nothing; she added angrily, "Well? Speak up! What coin do you propose to tender?"
"I have been thinking. My Mother," Krausa said slowly. "Baslim demands that we care for the boy only a limited time . . . until we can turn him over to a Hegemonic military vessel. How long will that be? A year, two years. But even that presents problems. However, we have a precedent -- the fraki female. The Family has accepted her -- oh, a little grumbling, but they are used to her now, even amused by her. If My Mother intervened for this lad in the same way --"
"Nonsense!"
"But, My Mother, we are obligated. Debts must --"
"Silence!"
Krausa shut up.
She went on quietly, "Did you not listen to the wording of the burden Baslim placed on you? ' -- succor and admonish him as if you were I.' What was Baslim to this fraki?"
"Why, he speaks of him as his adopted son. I thought --"
"You didn't think. If you take Baslim's place, what does that make you? Is there more than one way to read the words?"
Krausa looked troubled
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