tared 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.