Mr. Hawley's disgust at the notion of the Pioneer being edited by an emissary, and of Brooke becoming actively political—as if a tortoise of desultory pursuits should protrude its small head ambitiously and become rampant—was hardly equal to the annoyance felt by some members of Mr. Brooke's own family.

It was going to be a super-busy weekend at the palace—with the royal babies' official gender reveals today and the baby showers tomorrow.

Waiter, please bring me a single malt whiskey.

a reptile race or crew    reptile vices