“as, in the end, they smiled upon our journey. When we set out, I thought you all monsters. I have learned, I suppose, that you are only people. A set of devils, perhaps, but, on this occasion, you’ve done God’s work.” And he smiled, and gave a nod, and stepped from the lectern. Balthazar watched with lips discerningly pursed, like a connoisseur considering a bottle. Then he leaned over. “He’s actually not awful at this, is he?” “All in all…” murmured Jakob, “far better than expected.”
