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Clarey looked at the ulerin with unmistakable wistfulness.

“Care to try it?” the boy asked. “But, mind, you have to pay for any bladders you burst.”

“I shall be very careful,” Clarey said, taking the instrument reverently in his hands. He had never touched a musical instrument before—an Earth instrument would have been no less unfamiliar, no more wonderful. Gently he began to pluck and bang and blow, in imitation of the way the boy had done, and, though the sounds that came out didn’t have the same smoothness, still they didn’t fall harshly on his ears. The others stopped talking and listened; it would have been difficult for them to do otherwise, as he was unable to find the muting device.

“Sounds like the death wail of a hix,” Piq sibilated, but he added grudgingly, “Foreigner or not, I have to say this for him—he’s got the touch.”

“Yes, he’s got the touch,” others agreed. “You always can tell.”

Rini smiled at Clarey. “I believe you do. I’ll teach you to play, if you like.”

“I would, very much.” Clarey was about to offer to pay for the lessons; then he remembered that, though this would have been the right thing on Earth, it would be wrong on Damorlan. “If it is not too much trouble,” he finished.