OCR Text |
Show moment-and saw her return the boy's smile with a cold toss of her head. The boy faltered at that-not so much by hurt as by puzzlement. Dr'Igor saw the exchange, too, and looked questioningly at Dr'Anya. "The child be a bit saddle-sore," she said to Dr'Igor, by way of explanation, and followed Janni, who had by that time turned and begun walking on foot down the trail into Round Valley. Dr'Igor following them, stroked his curling white beard while the guard and his son led the JackPonies. "Saddlesore!" he said, with some concern. "That be a fine thing for lovemaking, by Saint Ida's knees!" And he shook his head in sympathy for his poor young son, Pymlyn, who had been looking forward with pleasant expectation to the first idyl he'd have with his future partner since their pledging three TwelveMonths before, regardless of the maidens who'd been keeping him fond company the entire TwoMonth the boy had been in Westwick with his father. Ah, but there! mused Dr'Igor. 'Twould be full unsound for Pym to have gone without fair companionship these past three TwelveMonths and, moreover, would have made many a maiden in BauerWorlde passing sad! 189 |