of that,” Alexander promised. “Now I’d like you to meet Old Doc’s replacement. This is Dr. Kennon, our new veterinarian.”      

       “Pleased, I’m sure,” Goldie said. “You look like a nice man.”      

       “He is,” Alexander said, “but he’s just as hard as Old Doc—and he’ll have the same powers. Goldie’s the head housekeeper,” Alexander added.       “She’s an expert, and you’d do well to take her advice on assignments.”      

       Kennon nodded.     

       “Have a maid bring us a light meal and something to drink,” Alexander said. “Have a couple of porters take Dr. Kennon’s things to Old Doc’s house. Find Man Douglas and tell him I want to see him at once. Tell the Family that I’ve arrived and will see them in the Main Lounge at eight tonight. Tell Blalok I’ll be seeing him at nine. That’s all.”      

       “Yes, sir,” Goldie said and left the room, her tail curling buoyantly.     

       “A good Lani,” Alexander commented. “One of the best. Loyal, trustworthy, intelligent. She’s been running Alexandria for the past ten years, and should be good for at least ten more.”      

       “Ten?—how old is she?”      

       “Thirty.”      

       “Thirty—years?”      

       Alexander nodded.     

       “Good Lord Lister! I’d have guessed her at least three hundred!”      

       “Wrong life scale. Lani only live about one tenth as long as we do. They’re mature at twelve and dead at fifty.”      

       Alexander sighed. “That’s another difference. Even without agerone we’d live to be a hundred.”      

       “Have you tried gerontological injections?”      

       “Once. They produced death in about two days. Killed five Lani with them.”        Alexander’s face darkened at an 

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