snarling , vane returned the phone to his pocket . `` and the gray lady continued to buy slaves . '' `` aye , there was that too , '' he said . with the last cup in the stack , as he poured for himself , he said suddenly , hey . so he was going to close her out once again . `` you 're absolutely correct , '' she agreed . i asked , eyes wide with surprise , he studied me then he shook his head . that 's how they recognize me , why i belong to them . 