"Thanks, Nunzio," I said, lamely.

"Speaking of which," Bunny said, rising to her feet, "we've got to get going. We've got to find some space for our office and lodgings."

"That's right," I said, even though I knew as well as she did that we had made no such plans.

I managed to keep smiling as we said our goodbyes, trying desperately not to notice the difference in warmth between our welcome and our farewell.

"Well, that was pleasant," I said to myself, as we made our way through the aisles of tents and stalls that made up the Bazaar.

"Actually, it was about what I expected," Bunny said, falling in step beside me. "If anything, it went better than I was afraid it would."

"Really?" I said dryly. "I thought it got a bit chilly in there."

"Let's try this from a different angle," Bunny said, reasonably. "What did you expect would happen when we dropped in?"

"I don't know," I said. "I thought they would be happy to see me ..."

"Which they were," Bunny said.

"And I expected them to be glad I was coming out of retirement—"

"Why?" Bunny interrupted.

"Why?" I echoed. "Why shouldn't they be glad? They're my friends, and I'm starting a new business."

"Which is potentially in competition with their own operation," Bunny said.

I stopped in my tracks and stared at her.

"What?" I managed at last.

She gave a deep sigh without looking at me.

"Remember when I asked you why you wanted to set up business at the Bazaar?"

"Sure," I said. "And I told you that it was because the Bazaar was where I was best known and had already established contacts."

"Uh-huh," Bunny said. "Think about that for a moment."

I did and came up blank.

"I don't get it," I said. "It still makes good sense to me."