The Field of the Cloth of Gold

8

On the third evening I received a visit from Aldebaran. I was tidying up after another day’s work when I saw him approaching from the south-east, evidently with the purpose of inspecting the trench. I was glad to see him: the job was three-quarters complete and I was looking forward to showing him what we’d accomplished. Our trench was deep and wide and unerringly straight, all in accordance with the surveyor’s plans. As a matter of fact, I was so pleased with the cooks that I’d let them go off slightly earlier than usual. I thought they’d earned a bit of a break, especially since it had been so warm during the afternoon. The fine weather had returned at last, and in the dry conditions we’d made good headway. Now, with night falling, the sky was tinged pink and silver. As the sun sank towards the horizon, Aldebaran’s advancing figure cast a long shadow across the field.

When he reached the trench he paused and stood peering in.

‘Exemplary,’ he declared. ‘Should be very effective.’

‘Couple more days and it’ll be finished,’ I said, ‘providing the weather holds.’

‘I gather you’ve taken charge of the operation.’

‘Yes, I have,’ I affirmed. ‘They seem to work much better when they receive direct orders.’

‘Indeed.’ Aldebaran reflected for a moment, and then said, ‘It’s a shame we can’t reward you with some milk pudding. Unfortunately, there’s been a hiatus in the production process and we’ve run out entirely.’

‘I know,’ I said. ‘The cooks told me all about it.’

Aldebaran glanced at me.

‘Been blubbing to you, have they?’ he asked.

‘No, on the contrary,’ I replied, ‘they’ve taken their punishment in their stride.’

‘Really?’

‘They’re turning into a proper workforce.’

‘Then plainly we’re in your debt.’

‘Think nothing of it,’ I said. ‘Glad to be of assistance.’

After this courteous exchange I accompanied Aldebaran as he walked the length of the trench. For a while he was silent, but then another thought occurred to him.

‘By the way,’ he said, ‘it’s not punishment: it’s discipline.’

‘Oh, sorry,’ I said. ‘I didn’t realize.’

‘No need to apologize,’ he remarked. ‘Just setting you straight, that’s all. We’re very particular about these details.’

‘Right.’

The inspection now being over, Aldebaran murmured some pleasantry and departed. I spent a few minutes watching the sunset, then returned to the comparative comfort of my tent. I slept well that night, just as I had every night since I’d been involved with the venture. It had been hard graft, but quite fulfilling in its own way, and now the end was in sight.