"It is a sickly sleep. 'Her head was injured by a blow." Oscar joined the group and showed them the lump on the back of Thurlow's head. They compared it with Oscar's own head, running gentle, inquisitive little hands through his blond hair. There was more lisping chatter; Matt found himself unable to follow even what he could hear; most of] the words were strange.
"My learned sisters tell me that they dare not take thy mother's head apart for fear that they could not get it back together," announced the mother-of-many.
"Well, that's a relief I" Tex said out of the corner of his mouth.
"Old Oz wouldn't let them anyhow," Matt whispered.
The leader gave instructions and four of her "daughters" picked up the unconscious officer and started carrying him out of the room. Tex called out, "Hey, Oz-do you think that's safe?"
"It's all right," Oscar called back, then explained to the matriarch, "My 'sister' feared for the safety of our 'mother.' "
The creature made a gesture that reminded Matt suddenly of his great- aunt Dora-she positively sniffed. "Tell her that her nose need not twitch!"
"She says not to get in an uproar, Tex."
"I heard her. Okay, you're the boss," Tex answered, and then muttered, "My nose, indeed!"
When Thurlow had been removed the leader turned toward them again. "May thy dreams be of daughters."