It seemed incredible to hear Desire's laugh.
"Good gracious!" she said. "You're carrying him upside down."
She had had no hint of danger. But with Li Ho it was different. He fell back beside me when Desire had relieved me of the child. I could feel his inscrutable eyes upon my face.
"You see um," said Li Ho. It was an assertion, not a question.
I nodded.
"No be scare," muttered he. "Missy all safe. Everything all safe now. Li Ho go catch um. Li Ho catch um good. All light—tomolla."
"You mean you can manage him and he'll be all right tomorrow?" I said. "But—what is it!"
The Celestial shrugged.
"Muchy devil maybe. Muchy moon-devil, plaps. Velly bad."
"There's a knife in that umbrella, Li Ho."