Tyltyl stopped to think, before answering. As Mytyl's big brother, he felt it his duty to know everything; but her questions often puzzled him. Then he reflected that, as the Dead live under ground, they can hardly eat anything that is above it; and so he answered very positively:
"They eat roots!"
Mytyl was quite satisfied and returned to the great question that was occupying her little mind:
"Shall we see them?" she asked.
"Of course," said Tyltyl, "we see everything when I turn the diamond."
"And what will they say?"
Tyltyl began to grow impatient:
"They will say nothing, as they don't talk."
"Why don't they talk?" asked Mytyl.
"Because they have nothing to say," said Tyltyl, more cross and perplexed than ever.