“No; Ippegoo must come with me,” he said. “I have work for him to do. One who would be an angekok must leave bird-spearing to boys.” Then turning to Arbalik—“Did you not say that the hunters have found plenty of game?”
“Yes, plenty.”
“I told you so,” said the wizard, using a phrase not unfamiliar to civilised ears. “Remain here, and spear plenty of birds; or go where you will.”
Having thus graciously given the youth free permission to do as he pleased—which Arbalik received with inward scorn, though outward respect—he left the cave, followed meekly by his satellite.
After walking in silence till well out of earshot of the expert young hunter, the wizard said in solemn tones—
“Ippegoo, I have work of more importance for you to do than spearing birds—work that requires the wisdom of a young angekok.”
All Ujarak’s backhanders vanished before this confidential remark, and the poor tool began to feel as if he were growing taller and broader even as he walked.
“You know the hut of Okiok?” continued the wizard.
“Yes; under the ice-topped cliff.”
“Well, Angut is there. I hate Angut!”