One of the other men flashed a look of triumph at their leader, and laughed.
"Yes," he added, "bring Milli."
The leader scowled at him, and some words were interchanged, but it ended in Milli being sent for. She apparently explained the situation to the satisfaction of the fish, to the intense glee of the man who had sent for her, and to the rather complete discomfiture of the leader of the five.
Abbot later learned that the leader's name was Thig, and that the name of the gleeful man was Dolf.
The reception over, Milli led Abbot back to his room.
here ensued many days—very pleasant days—of language instruction from Milli. Dolf and Thig and others of the five came frequently, to note his progress and to talk with him and ask him questions.
A sitting room was provided for him, adjoining his sleeping quarters. Milli occupied quarters nearby.
Within a week he had mastered enough of the language of these people, for their strange history began to be intelligible to him.