Atddta34: Nice little iron, 961

[Paul Nightingale]

Reef is evasive, allowing himself to be preoccupied with "practical
planning". To deny the future Cyprian has chosen, then, he draws attention
to past experience by asking advice, putting himself effectively in
Cyprian's shoes: "Any hot springs, hotels de luxes up that way you could
recommend?" Hence the gift of Cyprian's pistol, Reef "pretending to look it
over". Here, perhaps, Cyprian has strayed into Reef's territory, and Reef's
words ("Nice little iron") perhaps recall earlier insults: "Not exactly no
whanger you got there" (884), or "that ain't even a Craven A" (943).

One might now think back over the course of their relationship since meeting
on 869, when Cyprian finds himself excluded. In subsequent scenes between
Cyprian and Yashmeen, the absence of Reef is emphasised (874-876, 878-879).
Following the impregnation of Yashmeen (881-883) "the two young men ...
ma[k]e firm the third connection in their triad" (883), their relationship
now defined in terms of her absence: "Our little secret" (884). The phrase
"young men" is repeated on 887, followed by "childish" behaviour on 889. And
then another secret to be kept from Yashmeen: "We must keep her and the baby
well away from this ..." etc (954).