I can only offer thoroughness where intelligence fails. I acknowledge my shortcomings in the latter department. As I said, I'm hardly well trained for this role, let alone well suited. But what suits me is not a relevant consideration. I'd have thought that if results were important, it might have been better to send someone with a bit of background in this sort of thing, but that sort of thinking is also outside my brief. As it is, I'm viewing each day's experience as on-the-job training of an extremely self-directed type.

Of course, I shouldn't like to change places with you. Your week sounds characteristically brutal. You do sacrifice yourself, Lucius, above and beyond compare. Really, your rivals must look on you with despair.

I trust He is more impressed with your progress than with mine.