“Oh, yes,” said the youngest camel, as if he had been searching all this time for it and just found it in the string. “Here is a pure-white bead, like ivory, and all around it there is written something in gold. Yes—bones,” he murmured. “I do think it says something about bones.”
“Read it quickly!” said his mother, and after a moment of hesitation the little camel began reading aloud very slowly and uncertainly:—
“If it’s bones you want,
No longer hunt.
Just rub my—rub my cheek
And bones will creak.”
“Well, that’s really wonderful,” said his mother, and now she had entirely forgotten about the heat and how sore her hip was and how long a way they had still to go. “I’m half tempted to have you try it here, only it might be a bit embarrassing—”
“Oh, I wouldn’t try it now, would you?” cried the little camel. “I think it would be much better if we waited until this evening, because if bones suddenly started creaking now the whole caravan would stop and then they’d all see the beads around my neck—”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right,” said his mother. “But I can scarcely wait to try. Now, tell me what’s written inside the diamond, darling.”
“Oh, the diamond,” said her son slowly and thoughtfully, exactly as if he were having a good look for it among the other beads. “Well, it’s rather difficult to make it out.”