"Then,"Luchógtoldher,"youwouldhavetomakethege."

    Specklookedbeyoowardthetreeline."Thatsthethirdway.Youfindtherightchildoherside,andyoutakeherplace."

    "Nowyourefusingtheboy,"saidSmaolach."First,youhavetofindachild,learnallabouthim.Allofuswatdstudyhim.Fromadistance,mind."

    "Ithastobesomebodywhoisnthappy,"Chavisorysaid.

    Smaolachscowledather."Nevermindthat.Weobservethechildinteams.Whilecertainpeopletakedownhishabits,othersstudyhisvoice."

    "Startwiththename,"saidSpeck."Gatherallthefacts:age,birthdaybrothersandsisters."

    Chavisoryinterruptedher."Idstayawayfromboyswithdogs.Dogsarebornsuspicious."

    "Youhavetoknowenough,"Specksaid,"soyoumakepeoplebelieveyouareohem.Achildoftheirown."

    Carefullyrollingacigarette,Luchógsaid,"IvebetimesthoughtthatIdlookforalargefamily,withlotsofkidsandsoon,andthenpicktheohemiddlethatnobodyllmissornoticetheyregoneforabit.OrifIfetsomedetailoramslightlyoffinmyimitation,nobodyisthewiser.Maybenumbersixofthirteen,orfourofseven.Notaseasyasitoncewas,nowthatmumsanddadsarenthavingsomanybabies."

    "Idliketobeababyagain,"saidChavisory.

    "Onceyouhavemadethechoice,"saidSmaolach,"wegoinandgrabthechild.Heorshesgottobealone,oryoullbefoundout.HaveyoueverheardthetaleofthemonesinRussiaorthereabouts,wheretheycaughtthelotofthemstealingatinyCossackladwithpoih,andt