Even then he learned little.
The hill was placed on one edge of a valley about forty miles in
width. A good part of it was covered with dusty vegetation,
presumably wild; but the rest was plainly under cultivation. There
were large green areas, such as argued grain fields; elsewhere were
what looked like orchards and vineyards, some of which were in full
bloom--refuting the notion that the season was a late one. Nowhere
was there a spot of land which might be called barren.
Rolla and her three friends stood taking this in, keeping a rather
curious silence meanwhile. At length Cunora gave a deep sigh, which
was almost instantly reproduced by all the rest. Corrus followed his
own sigh with a frank curse.
"By the great god Mownoth!" he swore fiercely. "It be a shame that
we cannot come hence a great deal oftener! Me-thinks They could
allow it!"
"They care not for our longings," spoke Cunora, her eyes flashing as
angrily as his. "They give us enough freedom to make us work the
better--no more! All They care for is thy herd and my crops!"
"And for the labor," reminded the big man, "of such brains as
Rolla's and Dulnop's.
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