"There are quite a number of things you can do about it. First of all,
you can buy yourself some clothing that is _not_ translucent. Secondly,
you can buy yourself a pair of skin-tight gloves. Thirdly, you can buy
yourself a flesh-colored rubber mask that will align itself to your
features. You can, in other words, cease being an apparition in the
eyes of everyone you meet, and become a perfectly presentable silk
salesman."
Drake shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "I'm afraid I
can't do any of those things," he said.
"You can't? In the name of all that's wholesale, why not?"
The word "penance" came into Drake's mind, but he ignored it. "I don't
know," he said. He turned to go.
"One more minute please, Mr. Drake. Will you enlighten me on a little
matter before you leave?"
"All right."
Mr. Pompton cleared his throat. "Are you of Dutch descent by any
chance?"
"No," Drake said, and left.