THEweekafterTaffimaiMetallumai(wewillstillcallherTaffy,BestBeloved)madethatlittlemistakeaboutherDaddysspeararanger-manaure-letterandall,shewentcarp-fishingagainwithherDaddy.HerMummywantedhertostayathomeandhelphanguphidestodryonthebigdrying-polesoutsidetheirhicCave,butTaffyslippedawaydowntoherDaddyquiteearly,andtheyfished.Presentlyshebegantogiggle,andherDaddysaid,Dontbesilly,child.

    Butwasntiting!saidTaffy.DontyourememberhowtheHeadChiefpuffedouthischeeks,andhowfunnytheranger-manlookedwiththemudinhishair?

    WelldoI,saidTegumai.Ihadtopaytwodeerskins--softohfriotheStranger-manforthethiohim.

    Wedidntdoanything,saidTaffy.ItwasMummyaherhicladies--andthemud.

    Wewonttalkaboutthat,saidherDaddy,Letshavelunch.

    Taffytookamarrow-boneandsatmousy-quietfortenwholeminutes,whileherDaddyscratchedonpiecesofbirch-barkwithasharkstooth.Thenshesaid,Daddy,Ivethinkedofasecretsurprise.Youmakeanoise--anysortofnoise.

    Ah!saidTegumai.Willthatdotobeginwith?

    Yes,saidTaffy.Youlookjustlikeacarp-fishwithitsmouthopen.Sayitagain,please.

    Ah!ah!ah!saidherDaddy.Dontberude,mydaughter.

    Imnotmeaningrude,reallyandtruly,saidTaffy.Itspartofmysecret-surprise-think.Dosayah,Daddy,andkeepyourmouthopenattheend,andletooth.Imgoingtodra-fishsmouthwide-open.

    Whatfor?saidherDaddy.

    Dontyousee?saidTaffy,scratgawayonthebark.Thatwillbeourlittlesecretsprise.WhenIdra-fishwithhismouthopeninthesmokeatthebackofourCave--ifMummydoesntmind--itwillremindyouofthatah-henla