When Audrey saw her approaching, she hurriedly smiled and asked, "Sister Altair, what deal did you and Alfred make just now?"
"What your second brother wants is far too advanced. My family doesn't have it either, so we couldn't make a deal." As soon as she finished speaking, Altair lifted her skirt, crouched down, and stroked Susie's head. "Did you miss me?"
By now, after six months in the care of Audrey, the maid who tested medicines, Susie the Dream Dog had gradually grown up. She was no longer the little puppy she had once been.
Watching Susie enjoy the attention, Altair added, "How about going out to play with Pansera and me sometime soon?"
Susie seemed to understand her. She turned on her little legs to look at Audrey, as if pleading, Audrey, I want to go out and play.
Audrey pouted in protest. But less than two seconds later, she composed herself and regained her ladylike bearing. "Susie! Remember, Pansera is a Black Panther, and you're a dog. You two aren't the same kind."
Altair chuckled twice, then reached out and picked Susie up. "Since you agree, I'll send someone to fetch you in a couple of days."
Clearly unhappy with Altair's decision, Audrey put her hands on her hips. "Sister Altair, you're awful. I haven't decided yet!"
Susie promptly wriggled free of Altair's arms, scampered back to Audrey's feet, and lay down quietly.
As eight o'clock approached, a maid came upstairs to remind Altair and Audrey that it was time to wash up and prepare for dinner.
Light from the crystal chandeliers spilled across the snow-white tablecloth. Amid the crisp clink of silver knives and forks, Altair used Psychological Suggestion to steer the ladies' and councilors' conversation toward the recent mass layoffs among Bexland's workers, the sudden