"That is, of course, if the woman is telling the
truth."
"And I think she is," declared the young fellow at the foot of the
table. "It makes me feel pretty small, to think that none of us ever
had the nerve to make the trip; while she, ignorant as she is, dared
it all and succeeded!"
"You forget, Sorplee," reminded Somat, "that such people are far
hardier than we. The feat is one that requires apelike ability. The
only thing that puzzled me is--why did she do it at all?"
"It will have to remain a puzzle until she awakens," said Deltos,
rising from the table. "Lucky for us, Somat, that you saw fit to
study the root tongues. Otherwise we'd have to converse by signs."
Neither Smith nor Van Emmon learned anything further that night. The
twelve were all very tired, apparently, and went right to bed; a
procedure which was straightway seconded by the four watchers on the
earth. Which brings us in the most ordinary manner to the events of
the next day.
After breakfast all but Somat left the place and disappeared in
various directions; and Rolla noted that the robes were, evidently,
worn only at meal time.
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