De L'Ester—They are a smaller variety of the same animal, and they and their larger relatives, are at times used for such purposes as the peoples of our planet use the horse. They are designated as Lûma̤ Zēon, and their services as draught animals are but seldom required, the Entoans regarding them more as a luxury than as a necessity.
The animal near yonder clump of shrubbery is a cross between the Lûma̤ Zēon and another animal known as the Algoû. Yes, it is a graceful and handsome creature, its marked peculiarities are its coat of long, silken brown hair and its very erect appearance, the result of its shoulders being a trifle higher than its haunches. Otherwise it closely resembles the Lûma̤ Zēon. George will now assist you downward to the level.
George—Ever at your service, my sister.
Gently gliding toward the plain,
In my arms I safely hold you;
Downward, downward, once again,
Here we are on terra firma.
I take it for granted that you all admire my poetry.
De L'Ester—Your doggerel, rather.
George—Unadulterated envy prompted that ungracious remark. Alas! how often genius excites jealousy or goes unrecognized save by superior minds. But I am magnanimous and I forgive you. A poet can afford to be generous to one less gifted than himself. It really appears as though you all are more interested in this browsing Algoû than in my inspired utterances. I shall console myself with the reflection that as time is endless I can afford to wait for appreciation. In the meantime, shall we follow the course of this sparkling rivulet, which further on loses itself in a marshy tract? De L'Ester, as you are more familiar with the flora of Ento than am I, I shall now be silent. A poet should not be expected to know everything.
LOISA̤ MICANA̤