The boy visibly brightens, but perhaps not for the reason that China expects.

"If you know Miss Valdis," he said happily, "Then maybe you could call her on that thing?" he pointed to her handset, "I've seen you foreigners use them to talk to people not nearby." He seemed to be quite pleased with this solution.

"There's no need to call me," Valdis said, walking up, a lovely smile on her face. "Hello, China."