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"My grandfather says you are welcome here," the girl interpreted. "He met George on the lagoon the other day."

"I know. George told me," Hardie replied. "He was sorry that he couldn't understand what your grandfather wanted to tell him."

"He was inviting him to stop with us for a while. He asks you, if you care to?"

Hardie's face lighted up. "I'd like to very much."

Naia turned again to her grandfather. "Then it's settled," she added, a moment later. "We'll send someone to Tautira to fetch your things."

Hardie was as surprised as he was pleased at this unexpected invitation, offered so simply and with such evident sincerity. "I'd never hoped for such luck as this," he said. "You're sure I shan't be putting you out?"

"No. All of our house shall be yours. My mother will be glad when she knows you've come."

Hardie felt slightly troubled, remembering what McLeod had said of the coolness of Mauri's welcome to him. But Naia spoke of her mother with such quiet assurance that he thought it more than likely that McLeod had been mistaken in this matter. "Then I'll stop with pleasure," he said. "Oh... my canoe. It belongs to Fara, in Tautira. I'll have to take it back."