CHAPTER V

CONGRATULATIONS After an engagement, congratulations—or condolences. “So you’re going to commit the Supreme Act of Folly,” remarked Berta 2. She was a powerfully built young woman of thirty or so, somewhat short and squat in the figure, with a strongly marked, intelligent face. Her white tunic reached scarcely below her waist, her shorts ended above the knees, and she wore brown stockings and heavy brown shoes of synthetic leather. Beside her, Eleuthera, in tunic to the knees, and blue belt matching her pale blue s…