The Zero Equation
Page 45
“The search for paper continues.” Torquil Simon straightened his shoulders. He was a small man with shifty gaze, always suspected by his colleagues of some misdeed that could never be identified. “I can readily find fields of papyrus and bamboo, peasants who lawfully collect from those fields for improving their homes, but never do I find a peasant who will admit even to knowing how to make paper, let alone admit to making any. I have the distinct impression that with respect to papermaking there is some jest between the peasants that they are unwilling to tell me. If you prefer, they all know for a fact that I know the joke and therefore are embarrassed to repeat it. Nonetheless, in your grandfather’s day, Angus, the Barony had a substantial income from the making and sale of good paper, but that income has mysteriously dried up. Assuredly, since Saint Morag has several printers, all of whom complain mightily and truly about the high cost of paper, there would be a market for paper if it were made, but it is not being made. I cannot explain this. The remaining manufactures, and the minor manufactures not numbered among the Twelve, are in fact all being made within the Barony, though in some cases on a very limited scale.”
“Let us then advance to regular order and your weekly observations on our state of affairs.” Angus leaned back in his chair. This would indeed be the dull part of the meeting, so he gestured to an attendant to bring the pots of strong tea and the assorted pickles that would fortify the Council and keep it well awake for the rest of the morning.
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