She spoke to them rapidly.

They crouched toward us, what certainly was meant for an amiable grin wrinkling the grotesque muzzles, baring the glistening rows of needle-teeth.

And while I watched them with the fascination that they never lost for me, the monsters calmly swung one arm around our knees, lifted us up like babies--and as calmly started to walk away with us! "Put me down! Put me down, I say!" The O'Keefe's voice was both outraged and angry; squinting around I saw him struggling violently to get to his feet.

The _Akka_ only held him tighter, booming comfortingly, peering down into his flushed face inquiringly.
"But, Larry--darlin'!"-- Lakla's tones were--well, maternally surprised--"you're stiff and sore, and Kra can carry you quite easily." "I _won't_ be carried!" sputtered the O'Keefe.

"Damn it, Goodwin, there are such things as the unities even here, an' for a lieutenant of the Royal Air Force to be picked up an' carted around like a--like a bundle of rags--it's not discipline! Put me down, ye _omadhaun_, or I'll poke ye in the snout!" he shouted to his bearer--who only boomed gently, and stared at the handmaiden, plainly for further instructions.
"But, Larry--dear!"-- Lakla was plainly distressed--"it will _hurt_ you to walk; and I don't _want_ you to hurt, Larry--darlin'!" "Holy shade of St.Patrick!" moaned Larry; again he made a mighty effort to tear himself from the frog-man's grip; gave up with a groan.
"Listen, _alanna_!" he said plaintively.