Yoo Retoont, Sneogg. Ay Noo

4

Snorg decided to teach Tib to speak. Piecky advised him to press her hand to his throat so she could feel the vibrations of his vocal cords. For this purpose, in order to stand, Snorg grabbed her by the hips. But he did it too suddenly, and Tib fell. It was the first time he saw her on the floor. One of the Dagses, seizing the opportunity, quickly got between her legs, which had been thrown apart. Snorg swung, and the little one, from the blow, went rolling across the floor. There was blood.

“Snorg! Stop!” cried Piecky. “You’ll hurt him.”

“It’s my blood,” said Snorg, inspecting his hand. “I cut my hand on him.”

Tib had pulled herself together and sat up. The Dagses didn’t approach her, watching Snorg carefully.

“Maybe it’s good you did that,” said Piecky. “I would have, if I could, for Moosy… They do with her what they want, whenever they want.”

Snorg took Tib’s hand and placed the palm on his throat.

“Tib,” he said, pointing at her. She watched him in silence.

“Tib,” he repeated. She looked frightened.

He passed his hand along her face, touched a pink ear, and was surprised: Tib’s ear had no opening.

“Piecky!” he shouted. “You’re a genius! You were right. She’s deaf. Only by touch…”

Over and over, with extreme care to be correct, he pronounced her name. He had complete control of his mouth now. After one of the times, her lips moved, and she gave a muffled, hollow noise: “Ghbb…” She got to her feet and repeated it several times.

“Ghbb… ghbbr.” She said it louder and louder, walking across the Room.

“She’ll wake Dulf,” Piecky said.

Snorg gestured for her to come. She came and sat. Again he started saying her name.