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'But we left some money,' said Twoflower. 'I mean, we would have left some money, if we'd had any —'
'So he insisted on writing a note,' said Bethan wearily.
Twoflower drew himself up to his full height, which was hardly worth it.
'I see no reason—' he began, stiffly.
'Yes, yes,' said Bethan, sitting down glumly. 'I know you don't. Rincewind, all the shops have been smashed open, there was a whole bunch of people across the street helping themselves to musical instruments, can you believe that?'
We're in the docks,' he declared. 'Just smell that sea air!'
'Oh,' said Bethan, leaning against the wall, 'yes.'
'That's ozone, that is,' said Rincewind. That's air with character, is that.' He breathed deeply.
Twoflower turned to the shopkeeper.
'Well, I hope you find your sorcerer,' he said. 'Sorry we didn't buy anything, but all my money's in my Luggage, you see.'
The shopkeeper pushed something into his hand.
'A little gift,' he said. 'You'll need it.'
He darted back into his shop, the bell jangled, the sign saying Call Again Tomorrow For Spoonfetcher's Leeches, the Little Suckers banged forlornly against the door, and the shop faded into the brickwork as though it had never been. Twoflower reached out gingerly and touched the wall, not quite believing it.
'What's in the bag?' said Rincewind.
It was a thick brown paper bag, with string handles.
'If it sprouts legs I don't want to know about it,' said Bethan.
Twoflower peered inside, and pulled out the contents.
Is that all?' said Rincewind. 'A little house with shells on?'
'It's very useful,' said Twoflower defensively. 'You can keep cigarettes in it.'
'And they're what you really need, are they?' said Rincewind.
'I'd plump for a bottle of really strong sun-tan oil,' said Bethan.
'Come on,' said Rincewind, and set off down the street. The others followed.
It occurred to Twoflower that some words of comfort were called for, a little tactful small talk to take Bethan out f herself, as he would put it, and generally cheer her up.
'Don't worry,' he said. There's just a chance that Cohen might still be alive.'
'Oh, I expect he's alive all right,' she said, stamping along the cobbles as if she nursed a personal grievance against each one of them. 'You don't live to be eighty-seven in his job if you go around dying all the time. But he's not here.'
'Nor is my Luggage,' said Twoflower. 'Of course, that's not the same thing.'
'Do you think the star is going to hit the Disc?'
'No,' said Twoflower confidently.
'Why not?'
'Because Rincewind doesn't think so.'
