"Mr. Ambassador," Retief said. "Have you noticed----" "However," Ambassador Spradley said, eyeing Retief, "a seasoned diplomatist must take these little snubs in stride. In the end---- Ah, there, Magnan." He turned away, talking. Somewhere a gong clanged. In a moment, the corridor was filled with chattering Yill who moved past the group of Terrestrials into the banquet hall. P'Toi, the Yill interpreter, came up and raised a hand. "Waitt heere...." More Yill filed into the dining room to take their places. A pair of helmeted guards approached, waving the Terrestrials back. An immense gray-jowled Yill waddled to the doors and passed through, followed by more guards. "The Chief of State," Retief heard Magnan say. "The Admirable F'Kau-Kau-Kau." "I have yet to present my credentials," Ambassador Spradley said. "One expects some latitude in the observances of protocol, but I confess...." He wagged his head. The Yill interpreter spoke up. "You now whill lhie on yourr intesstinss, and creep to fesstive board there." He pointed across the room. "Intestines?" Ambassador Spradley looked about wildly. "Mr. P'Toi means our stomachs, I wouldn't wonder," Magnan said. "He just wants us to lie down and crawl to our seats, Mr. Ambassador." "What the devil are you grinning at, you idiot?" the ambassador snapped. * * * * * Magnan's face fell. Spradley glanced down at the medals across his paunch. "This is.... I've never...." "Homage to godss," the interpreter said. "Oh. Oh, religion," someone said. "Well, if it's a matter of religious beliefs...." The ambassador looked dubiously around. "Golly, it's only a couple of hundred feet," Magnan offered. Retief stepped up to P'Toi. "His Excellency the Terrestrial Ambassador will not crawl," he said clearly. "Here, young man! I said nothing----" "Not to crawl?" The interpreter wore an unreadable Yill expression. "It is against our religion," Retief said. "Againsst?" "We are votaries of the Snake Goddess," Retief said. "It is a sacrilege to crawl." He brushed past the interpreter and marched toward the distant table. The others followed. Puffing, the ambassador came to Retief's side as they approached the dozen empty stools on the far side of the square opposite the brocaded position of the Admirable F'Kau-Kau-Kau. "Mr. Retief, kindly see me after this affair," he hissed. "In the meantime, I hope you will restrain any further rash impulses. Let me remind you _I_ am chief of mission here." Magnan came up from behind. "Let me add my congratulations, Retief," he said. "That was fast thinking----" "Are you out of your mind, Magnan?" the ambassador barked. "I am extremely displeased!" "Why," Magnan stuttered, "I was speaking sarcastically, of course, Mr. Ambassador. Didn't you notice the kind of shocked little gasp I gave when he did it?"