"You don't believe me?" he asked.
"There are over three hundred men, women, and children in the tribe," said the girl, stretching nonchalantly and smoothing the blue dress over her hips, "and even the tiniest babes in their mothers' arms will tell you that Yorgh seldom speaks in earnest!"
"That was unkind!" said Yorgh, pulling down the corners of his mouth. "But you always were too proud to be considerate, as is common with beautiful women. Will you bet a kiss that I lie?"
"A hundred!" Vaneen waved a hand contemptuously. "And that is a bet I would not make lightly with an honest man!"
Yorgh fumbled in his pouch for the shiny metal stick and held it up. Puko watched eagerly.
"Well?" challenged Vaneen, watching him warily.
"As I told you, I picked up the thing that lay shining between the feet of the skeleton. After chasing the wolly, I found it still in my hand. Here is my proof!"
Vaneen peered at it suspiciously, being careful not to come too close to Yorgh.
"Where did you really get it?" she asked.
"Have you no ears, woman? I just now told you that—"