The House Lords Jack Vance The inhabitants of that planet in Argo Navis were not only human, they were English-speaking, Earth-type humans. But instead of making it easier to get along with them, their culture was the most incomprehensible in the universe—until the explorers returned home! THE TWO men, with not a word spoken, had become very disturbed. Caffridge, the host, rose to his feet, took quick steps back and forth across the room. He went to the window, looked into the sky, toward the distant star BGD 1169. The guest, Richard Emerson, was affected to an even greater degree. He sat back in his chair, face white, mouth loose, eyes wide and glistening.
Nothing had been said and there was nothing visible to explain their emotion. They sat in an ordinary suburban living room, notable only for a profusion of curios, oddities and trinkets hanging on the walls.
At a scratching sound, Caffridge turned from the window. He called sharply, “Sarvis!”
The black and white cat, sharpening its claws on a carved column of exotic wood, laid its ears back, but continued to scratch.
“You rascal!” Caffridge picked up the cat, hustled him outside through the animal’s special door. He returned to Emerson. “We seem to be thinking the same thought.”
Emerson was gripping the arms of his chair. “How did I miss it before?” he muttered.
“It’s a strange business,” said Caffridge. “I don’t know what we should do.”
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