"Why not?" said Blouse. "You would get your husband."
"That might be a bit difficult," mumbled Shufti. "Anyway, what about the invasion?"
"I'm not going to be sent home like a package," said Igorina. "Anyway, that man has an objectionable bone structure."
"Well, Private Goom can't join us right now," sighed Blouse. "So that leaves you, Polly."
"Why are they doing this?" said Polly. "Why do they want us out of the way? Why aren't they just leaving us locked up? This place must be full of cells."
"Ah, perhaps they are sensible of the frailties of your sex," said Blouse, and then fried in their stares. "I didn't say I was," he added quickly.
"They could just kill us," said Tonker. "Well, they could," she added. "Why not? Who'd care? I don't think we count as prisoners of war."
"But they haven't," said Polly. "And they're not even threatening us. They're being very careful. I think they're frightened of us."
"Oh, yeah, right," said Tonker. "Maybe they think we're going to chase them and give them a big wet sloppy kiss?"
"Good, then we're agreed that we're not going to accept," said Blouse. "Damn right... oh, I do apologize..."
"We all know the words, sir," said Polly. "I suggest we see how much we frighten them, sir."
The officers were waiting with unconcealed impatience, but Rust managed a brief smile when he stepped back into the kitchen. "Well, lieutenant?" he said.
"We have given your offer due consideration, sir," said Blouse, "and our reply is: stick it up your..." He leaned down to Polly, who whispered urgently. "Who? Oh, yes, right. Your jumper, sir. Stick it, in fact, up your jumper. Named after Colonel Henri Jumper, I believe. A useful woollen garment akin to a lightweight sweater, sir, which if I recall correctly was named after Regimental Sergeant-Major Sweat. That, sir, is where you may stick it."
Rust received this calmly, and Polly wondered whether it was because he hadn't understood it. The scruffy man once more leaning against the wall had understood it, though, since he was grinning.
"I see," said Rust. "And that is the answer from all of you? Then you leave us no choice. Good evening to you."
His attempt to stride out was hindered by the other officers, who had less sense of the dramatic moment. The door slammed behind them, but not before the last man out turned very briefly and made a hand gesture. You would have missed it if you weren't watching him - but Polly was watching.
"That seemed to go well," said Blouse, turning away.
"I hope we're not going to get into trouble for that," said Shufti.
"Compared to what?" said Tonker.
"The last man out stuck his thumb up and winked," said Polly. "Did you notice him? He wasn't even wearing an officer's uniform."
"Probably wanted a date," said Tonker.
"In Ankh-Morpork that means 'jolly good'," said Blouse. "In Klatch, I think, it means 'I hope your donkey explodes'. I spotted the man. Looked like a guard sergeant to me."
"Didn't have stripes," said Polly. "Why'd he want to say jolly good to us?"
"Or hate our donkey so much?" said Shufti. "How's Wazzer?"
"Sleeping," said Igorina. "I think."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I don't think she's dead."
"You don't think she is?" said Polly.
"Yes," said Igorina. "It's like that. I wish I could keep her warmer."
"I thought you said she was burning up?"