'You bring us missionary ideas,' the old councillor persisted.

They left the room in time to see the old councillor disappear around the curve of the corridor.

He began speaking at once, before the old councillor could get a word in.

She had brought the old councillor a beaker of water which he accepted gratefully.

He asked the old councillor, "Do you know this to be true, about the Harpers?"

"I thought as much," muttered the old councillor.

Slant did not hear the rest of the old councillor's words; instead, he heard, "Deception is aborted.

If the old councillor was still alive, his life could depend on it.

Several of the older councillors had found themselves unable to face the new problems pouring upon them.

Tuek observed this and waited while the old councillor marshaled new arguments.