Across the room, William's mongoose came to an abrupt, alert standstill. "You think they'll be with us that long?" William asked, alarmed. He didn't know how to explain the range of emotions he felt with regard to his newly-acquired furry companion, and he certainly didn't mind its presence, but he also wasn't keen on having a new mysterious problem on his hands.
Pete was right. Things had really become serious when even William wanted a break from researching.