“Well! that makes it all look different. But why should you touch your hat when you went ahead of me just now?”

“Because this is my house; you are my guest. I am supposed to serve you in reasonable ways and give you precedence. Had I let you open my door for me, it would have been putting you in the place of my servant; to balance that, I give you the sign of equality and respect.”

“H'm,” said Rolf, “'it just shows,' as old Sylvanne sez, 'this yer steel-trap, hair-trigger, cocksure jedgment don't do. An' the more a man learns, the less sure he gits. An' things as hez lasted a long time ain't liable to be on a rotten foundation.'”

[ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]

Chapter 62. The Charm of Song

With a regular tum ta tum ta, came a weird sound from the sunrise rock one morning, as Van slipped out of his cabin.

“Ag-aj-way-o-say
Pem-o-say
Gezhik-om era-bid ah-keen
Ena-bid ah-keen”

“What's he doing, Rolf?”

“That's his sunrise prayer,” was the answer.

“Do you know what it means?”