Elphie by Maguire Gregory

Author:Maguire,Gregory
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: William Morrow
Published: 2025-03-25T00:00:00+00:00

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE

HarperCollinsPublishers

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35

Back at the lodging, Elphie is only a bit startled to learn that her father is unfazed by the notion of a job. “You have to start learning some skill,” he says. “A man of business might fiddle around with a young uneducated girl from the outback. But not him. He’s all right; Lei vouches for him. I checked it out.”

“I still don’t understand about that rock through the window,” says Elphie, probingly. The most disingenuous statement she’s ever made. “Who threw it, and why?”

“I wouldn’t put it past Shell, the little scamp,” says Nanny fondly, splaying her fingers upon her bosom and lowering her eyes in an unconvincing trance of adoration.

“Nanny, he was home with you at the time.”

“It’s of little interest to us,” says Frex, dismissing the question. “Perhaps the merchant has competitors who want to drive him out of business.” He turns back to his books, running a finger along a column of tightly printed prose.

Neither Nanny nor Elphie mentions they are trading Melena’s wedding robe for information on Turtle Heart. Frex wouldn’t care in any case, so no need to bother him with details.

“I bet it was one of those Dwarf Bears,” says Shell. “The ones in the lagoon gardens. They were kind of creepy, really. They talked like those puppets we saw on the puppet-show boat once.”

“Shut up, you’re a stupid little boy,” says his bigger big sister.

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