Listen carefully to their talk and tell me why they are coming here, and what for." The nome bowed again and spread out his great ears, swaying them gently up and down and back and forth.

For half an hour he stood silent, in an attitude of listening, while both the King and Kaliko grew impatient at the delay.

At last the Long-Eared Hearer spoke: "Shaggy Man is coming here to rescue his brother from captivity," said he.
"Ha, the Ugly One!" exclaimed Ruggedo.

"Well, Shaggy Man may have his ugly brother, for all I care.

He's too lazy to work and is always getting in my way.