"Life?"
"It gathers water and food within itself. It gives life to those who seek life. It gives life—"
She stopped, and her pretty poetic expression vanished. My hands touched her hands, my fingers moved gently along her wrists, her forearms—then as my touch neared her fur-covered elbows, a look of shock came into her eyes. "Jim!"
"Yes, Vauna?"
"I was trying to tell you—"
"What?"
For a moment she only looked at me, searching my eyes. "We don't understand each other, do we?"
Finally I said, "Then why don't we ask each other questions?"
"Yes.... Yes, ask me questions."
"All right." I had an impulse to start pacing again. I walked about for a moment. "Tell me, Vauna. When your friend Gravgak demanded that you come and talk with him alone, what would have happened if your father hadn't called you back?"