Marcus leaned back and slowly folded his legs, "I don't need to tolerate anyone in this city." Seeing the faces of the people present getting grimmer, Marcus suddenly sat up straight and said briskly, "You don't want to kneel? That's fine."

"Apologize to her." This time it was Laura who was referring.

Laura was a little surprised, but when she thought that Marcus was helping her, she couldn't help but smile.

"Okay." Laura nodded and made things worse, "Give me a ninety-degree bow and say 'I'm sorry, and I'll let bygones be bygones."

"Laura!" Bob was -angry, "She's your mother!"

"I don't care who she is." Marcus suddenly had long...