In the library, the pile of boxes to be sorted appeared to have grown since yesterday, and there seemed to be even more builders in the hall, if that was possible. They were putting floorboards on the structure they had built, and the hall was filled with sounds of hammering and shouting, of whining winches and saws.
While she stood a few paces inside the door, looking for a Pengali figure with lots of bead-adorned plaits, someone behind her said, “You came, hah?”
Mikandra whirled around. Bakimay had entered the hall behind her. She stood with her hands at her hips, as if in a challenge.
“You thought I wouldn’t come?”
“Mirani. Never know. Sometimes they come, sometimes they don’t.”
“I stick to my promises. If I say I’ll come, I’ll come.” What was it with these people never trusting he
