Kilo— (With a look warning him of the presence of the dwarf.)
Got the runes cut on it?
(Zip hands the sword to Kilo and goes over and stands near the vine. Kilo examines the curiously wrought haft.)
Zip— Listen!
Kilo— (Sitting up.) What is it? (They listen.)
Zip—The geese are out.
Kilo—(To the dwarf.) Hear that, gozzard? Do you?
Zip—Hark! Hissing, they go down the mountain side
With flip-flap of their big grey wings.
(He returns toward the fire.) Last night
The monks' new hunter wrung two ganders' necks.
I found their heads in the grotto.
Kilo—(Poking the dwarf with the sword.) Hear that, lob?
You herd the goslets for the holy men?
Next thing you'll grind the scauper for the monk,
And help him carve the cross. Granny'll get you.
Zip—Where's Suk and Gimel?
Kilo— Digging water-herbs
Down in the marsh. (He rises and the two walk left.)
'Twas said to throw him off.
The young imp shoots his ears out like a snail
To feel about for danger to the monks.
If he should hear the gnomes are out for blood,
You'd see him, he'd be footed like a hare
To put the monk on guard.