"And I do hope you'll be happy here. Or at least comfortable." That was one thing Lyall did hope his staff knew about him: he did in fact care about their welfare, comfort, and feelings. Not so much that he let them walk all over him, of course, but enough that he took their opinions into consideration and their troubles with serious care.

"Quite honestly, I do not believe it matters which," he added, looking about, himself. "I was told 'that sette from the library', and not much more. So I believe you may be free to choose your own. Though I will not promise you wno't have to change it later."