"No. Not really," Derek said, thinking of the reaction if he had asked a British Airways stewardess the same thing. Some minutes later a steward appeared with a good deal of gold braid on his uniform. "May I ask the master, does he truly wish to buy the stewardess, Shafiqa?" Derek couldn't think how to answer. He continued, "I would advise the master that it would be nearly impossible to keep a slave in England. If the master is moving to Kobekistan, of course, that is different. If the master wished to take this woman into his harem there, the price would be five thousand UK pounds. She is, frankly, not worth it, because she has been used by so many men. In the slave market she would fetch no more than a fifth of that. Unfortunately the airline has to charge high prices to pay for training another woman in the duties necessary in an aircraft which are unnecessary in a harem." Derek managed to stammer, "Yes, I can see the airline's problem. In that case, perhaps not. I haven't given any offence, I trust, to the airline, or to the woman." "Oh no sir," the steward reassured him, "The airline often responds to such inquiries, though actual sales are few; and of course the woman cannot be offended by any action of the master. Do you wish her to return, or perhaps to try another stewardess?"