The Hunters | Page 4

danger. So, Palit, you had better stop being fearful."
Palit said firmly, "Be careful, and I won't be fearful. That's all there is
to it."
"I'll be careful. After all, I shouldn't want us to lose these children.
They're so exactly the kind we need. Look how inquiring they are, how
unafraid, how quick to adapt to any circumstances--"
Miss Burton's voice said, "Good gracious, children, what language are
you using? Greek?"
They had been speaking too loud, they had been overheard. Palit and
Manto stared at each other, and giggled coyly. Then, after a second to
think, Palit said, "Onay, Issmay Urtonbay!"
"What?"
Frances shrilled triumphantly, "It isn't Greek, Miss Burton, it's
Latin--Pig-Latin. She said, 'No, Miss Burton.'"
"Good heavens, what is Pig-Latin?"
"It's a kind of way of talking where you talk kind of backwards. Like,
you don't say, Me, you say, Emay."
"You don't say, Yes, you say Esyay," added another little girl.
"You don't say, You, you say, Ouyay. You don't say--"
"All right, all right, I get the idea."
"You don't say--"
"That'll do," said Miss Burton firmly. "Now, let's get along to the lion

house. And please, children, do not make faces at the lions. How would
you like to be in a cage and have people make faces at you? Always
remember to be considerate to others."
"Even lions, Miss Burton?"
"Even lions."
"But Mr. George shot lots of lions. Was he considerate of them too?"
"There is no time for silly questions," said Miss Burton, with the same
firmness. "Come along."
They all trouped after her, Palit and Manto bringing up the rear. Manto
giggled, and whispered with amusement, "That Pig-Latin business was
quick thinking, Palit. But in fact, quite unnecessary. The things that you
do to avoid being suspected!"
"It never hurts to take precautions. And I think that now it is time to
leave."
"No, not yet. You are always anxious to learn details before reporting.
Why not learn a few more details now?"
"Because they are not necessary. We already have a good
understanding of human customs and psychology."
"But not of the psychology of children. And they, if you remember, are
the ones who will have to adapt. We shall be asked about them. It
would be nice if we could report that they are fit for all-purpose service,
on a wide range of planets. Let us stay awhile longer."
"All right," conceded Palit, grudgingly.
* * * * *
So they stayed, and out of some twigs and leaves they shaped the
necessary coins with which to buy peanuts, and popcorn, and ice cream,
and other delicacies favored by the young. Manto wanted to win easy

popularity by treating a few of the other children, but Palit put his
girlish foot down. No use arousing suspicion. Even as it was--
"Gee, your father gives you an awful lot of spending money," said
Frances enviously. "Is he rich?"
"We get as much as we want," replied Manto carelessly.
"Gosh, I wish I did."
Miss Burton collected her brood. "Come together, children, I have
something to say to you. Soon it will be time to go in and hear Mr.
George. Now, if Mr. George is so kind as to entertain us, don't you
think that it's only proper for us to entertain him?"
"We could put on our class play!" yelled Barbara.
"Barbara's a fine one to talk," said Frances. "She doesn't even
remember her lines."
"No, children, we mustn't do anything we can't do well. That wouldn't
make a good impression. And besides, there is no time for a play.
Perhaps Barbara will sing--"
"I can sing a 'Thank You' song," interrupted Frances.
"That would be nice."
"I can recite," added another little girl.
"Fine. How about you, Carolyn? You and your little friend, Doris. Can
she act too?"
Carolyn giggled. "Oh, yes, she can act very well. I can act like people.
She can act like animals." The laughing, girlish eyes evaded a dirty
look from the little friend. "She can act like any kind of animal."
"She's certainly a talented child. But she seems so shy!"

"Oh, no," said Carolyn. "She likes to be coaxed."
"She shouldn't be like that. Perhaps, Carolyn, you and Doris can do
something together. And perhaps, too, Mr. George will be pleased to
see that your teacher also has talent."
"You, Miss Burton?"
Miss Burton coughed modestly. "Yes, children, I never told you, but I
was once ambitious to be an actress too. I studied dramatics, and really,
I was quite good at it. I was told that if I persevered I might actually be
famous. Just think, your teacher might actually have been a famous
actress! However, in my day, there were many coarse people on the
stage, and the life of