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.Teddy's last delivery was to Greene, sitting at one of the front tables with Grace Castleton."What is it?" Greene asked, handling the package as if it might explode in his hands."It is a collar,' Teddy replied shyly, "like mine." He scooted back to his place on the dais beside Grizz and Honey."That's sweet,' Grace Castleton said, with a warm smile for Teddy and elbowed the unresponsive commander."Put it on, Jon!"This is in recognition,' Grizz announced in Middle Hrruban, the voder raising her voice to a tolerable pitch for the guests present, "of our first friends here on Rraladoon, and in hopes for the many yet to be made." She waved gradously, acknowledging the pandemonious applause and cheers.Todd immediately unwrapped his gift and put it on, preening.Gringg-sized, it hung over his shoulders like a shawl.Hrriss donned his.Each collar was beautifully and individually decorated.Grinning at one another at the tableau they made, they leaned over towards the Gringg leaders."Beautiful,' Todd said, fervently."Thank you.""It is our pleasure,' Honey said."You have given us many gifts, most treasurable of all being the gift of friendship." Hu Shih smiled, and pur up a hand for attention."And thirdly, we celebrate, a little prematurely, the fortieth birthday of Todd Reeve.I know it's two weeks away, Todd, but surely you'll forgive an old man for rushing things a little." The crowd chuckled, and Hu continued."He is the very calendar of our life here on Doona, and the symbol of our unity, our friendship with our neighbour, the Hrrubans.I am proud that he is my successor as Colony Leader.He has secured my safety and my enjoyment in retirement.Let me swear now that I'll continue to vote for him any time he comes up for re-election.Happy birthday, Todd, and long life to you." Hu Shih sat down amid applause and cheers.The Alley Cats left their seats between their two sets of grandparents and mounted the dais, joined by Hrriss' children.Alison pushed Alec, who presented a giftwrapped box to Todd.Alec cleared his throat."We have a special present for you, too, Daddy.""It was our own idea,' Alison added."Why, thank you,' Todd said, really touched by the gravity on their faces.He opened the box."It's from us, too,' Hrrunival said.Hrrana, behind him, nodded vigorously."What is it?" Hrriss said, noticing a suspicious hint of moisture in Todd's eyes.Todd held up a rope tail, unmistakably braided together by small, inexpert fingers but colourful with ribbons interwoven with the sisal."It's beautiful, kids,' he said, his voice husky with emotion.He tied it around his waist and tugged the knots taut."What do you know?It fits!" The children gave him kisses and hugs made shy by the onlookers and hurried off to return to their places by their grandparents."Speech, speech!" Hrriss cried, clapping his hands together.The cry was taken up by the rest of the room."Speech!""My friends,' Todd began as he rose.He pointed at the collar and the rope tail."If my age is the calendar, then this is the composite picture of the make-up of Rraladoon part Hrruban, part Hayuman, and now part Gringg but all very, very happy and grateful.Thank you so much.""Lions and Hayumans and Bears, oh my!" Kelly chortled.Everyone laughed.Overwhelmed by a deep feeling of joy, Todd sat down.Kelly, Hrriss, and Nrrna raised their glasses to him."Happy birthday, my love,' Kelly whispered.She was dressed in a glowing, green silk dress that fitted her slender form to a degree that was almost illicit."My present's waiting for you at home." She raised her eyebrows wickedly, and Todd grinned.Second Speaker Hrrto, seated at the end of the dais, rose.May I speak, Mr Hu?" he asked politely."But of course, Speaker,' Hu Shih said, startled, but in perfect High Formal Hrruban."We'd be honoured by your words.""It is I who am honoured,' Hrrto said, bowing.Then he altered to the Middle Hrruban most in the room would understand."I have a most important announcement to make.I do not wish to diminish the last presentation, but there is a fourth reason for celebration tonight.You are aware that our beloved First Speaker Hrruna became one with the Stripes some months ago.We have all mourned his loss, I more than I knew at first.An election was held last night for his successor.The results affect you, more, and he dropped his jaw slightly in the equivalent of a Hayuman grin, "than you might think [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]