But it was the next morning that they saw the Hairy One again.
"He's trying to get up into that tree with the fruit on it," Marla said, "but the trunk's too big around for him to climb, and the lowest branch is too high for him to reach."
"He seems to be alone," Ronal said.
"And he doesn't even seem to know we're still here."
"I wonder if he really cares," Ronal said, and began walking slowly toward the clearing's edge.
"You aren't going to—"
"Got a funny feeling. And I want a closer look. He could get that fruit, if—"
"If he could stand!" Marla completed. The implications of what Ronal suggested came fully upon her for the first time. Quite evidently, she understood now, the all-fours attitude of the Hairy One was not just for ease of jungle travel. It was a permanent attitude because the beast had not yet attained the ability to stand erect!
"I've an idea," Ronal said. He quickened his stride. "But you'd better go back with Krist and Logan. It's possible that—"
"I will not! And what danger is there? For nearly a week we've been here, and although we've all felt uneasy, this is the first we've seen him since that first day. There hasn't been even a hint of hostility. What more can he be than just a harmless, stupid beast?"