“Then,” she continued, “that bad dragon came and chased him into the rocks and I called you-like you, told me to, Dardie, if I saw a dragon. They are bad. The sea baby was so frightened.”
“Did it tell you so?” asked Rogan eagerly.
Perhaps it was the vibration of his deeper voice in the air which sent the sea creature crowding against Dessie, half hiding its face against her.
“Please, Mr. Rogan,” she shook her head reprovingly.”He’s afraid when you talk. No, I don’t think he talks like us. I just know what he feels-here,” she touched a forefinger to her head. “He wanted to play with me so he came ashore. He’s a nice baby-the nicest I ever, ever knew! Better than a fox or a bunny or even the big owl.”
“Great Space! Look there—off the rocks!”
Dard’s eyes followed the line of Rogan’s pointing finger. Two sleek round heads bobbed out of the water, great unblinking orbs were turned to the party on the beach. Dard’s grasp on Rogan’s arm tightened.
“Keep quiet! This is important!”
Dessie beamed at their interruption.
“More sea people! Look, baby!” She directed the mar-child’s attention seaward.
Instantly it slipped its hand free and ran to the edge of the water. But, just as it was about to plunge into the waves, it stopped and looked back at Dessie. While it teetered there, toes in the lapping waves, the two others of its race swam into the shallows and arose to their feet to wade in. The merchild made up its mind and splashed out to meet the shorter of the two advancing figures and was gathered up in eager arms. The largest of the three-an inch or two above four feet Dard judged-moved in between its mate and child and those on shore.