i feel like myself , only now with a cranky wolf in my head . '' this was the first time i was the subject of her gossip . jack tugged at his silk tie and nodded his thanks . he knew there was some kind of trouble out there this morning-all the sirens and soldiers-but he had never been one to involve himself in matters that did n't affect him directly . unlike the always-ready-to-run-a-four-minute-mile nicholas he had become accustomed to over the previous week . his meaning clear , they were to leave . he got a hit just before noon . 