 What can you conclude about Retief's character?
It was a simple student exchange—but Retief gave them more of an education than they expected! [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, September 1962. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] I Second Secretary Magnan took his green-lined cape and orange-feathered beret from the clothes tree. "I'm off now, Retief," he said. "I don't appreciate frivolity with reference to this Division," Magnan said testily. "I assume you jest, Retief," Magnan said sadly. "The Bogans have launched no less than four military campaigns in the last two decades. "Breaking and entering," Retief said. But I'm wondering what they'll study on d'Land. That's an industrial world of the poor but honest variety." "Our function is merely to bring them together. I'll leave him to you, Retief," Magnan said. "If I'd thought of that, I'd have worn my other suit," Retief said. Retief punched Miss Furkle's button. A tall broad man with bronze skin and gray hair, wearing tight trousers of heavy cloth, a loose shirt open at the neck and a short jacket, stepped into the room. He paused at sight of Retief, looked him over momentarily, then advanced and held out his hand. Retief dropped his hand and motioned to a chair. Now I don't know if you're familiar with the Bacchus vines we grow...?" "No," Retief said. In between, the vines don't need a lot of attention, so our time's mostly our own. We've turned all the land area we've got into parks and farms. Lovenbroy's a nice place, Mr. Retief." "It sounds like it, Mr. Arapoulous. Five of 'em. Cold as hell in winter; eccentric orbit, you know. Blue-black sky, stars visible all day. Lots of skiing, bob-sledding, ice skating; and it's the season for woodworkers. Our furniture—" "I've seen some of your furniture," Retief said. Lots of metals in our soil and those sulphates give the woods some color, I'll tell you. Lots of beach on Lovenbroy; we're mostly islands. The theatres are set up on the sand, or anchored off-shore. You have the music and the surf and the bonfires and stars—we're close to the center of a globular cluster, you know...."
 He is firm but can be harsh.
 He is gullible and easily tricked.  He is firm but can be harsh.  He has a soft spot for few in his life.  He can greedy and demanding.