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Show jerkin. "But...my p e a r l . . . a n E a r t h s k i . . . " Dr'Anya was indeed at a loss for words. "They be human, too, my Mother." "Aye," Dr'Anya said dubiously. "Nevertheless, worry not, my good mother;" Janni said, lifting her shoulders and waving a hand dismissively. "I am not at all interested in any of them especially. . .to father a b a b e . . . ." "I s e e . . ." "I have time in p l e n t y . . . ." "Assuredly, thou hast time in plenty, aye." Dr'Anya pulled her feet out of the water, dried them with her cloak, and tucked them under her in imitation of Janni. "Thine Aunt Nell had her first after her forty-third birthday." She smiled to herself. "'Twas a lovely babe, too, and born in the Zettian Valleys when my father was still young and I a little mite. Her partner, went he with us, and when he discovered that lo! Nell was ready to deliver, he went near into hysterics. Thou seest, she led him to think the babe was due in TenthMonth, for she was full determined to have that trip and she knew him for an exceeding fussbudget." She threw her head back and laughed. "Then the babe came early. In the HighTartars! 'Twas a boy, Joachim-thou knowest of him-and thank good Saint Ida 'twas the only one of our kin to have been born amongst those forbidding peaks!" Janni turned her head and looked at her mother- "Aye, and we two will go together on trips like that, will we not?" "But assuredly, my girl!" Dr'Anya looked surprised at the thought, and then pleased. . .full pleased. "But assuredly;" she repeated. "In the 205 |