"We shall all die of starvation before he understands." "Die ?" echoed Foster-father stoutly.

"Not so, woman! There is one language all understand." Whereupon he placed himself right in front of the shepherd, opened his mouth wide and then shook his head.

Next he pointed to his stomach and shook his head again.

Finally he began to chew violently, rubbed his stomach and grinned.
The shepherd grinned too and rubbed _his_ stomach, whereupon Foster-father turned triumphantly to Head-nurse.
"Said I not sooth, woman," he asked.

"Hunger hath a tongue of its own, and all men know it." Once begun, signs soon brought so much understanding, that, whistling to his dog, the shepherd started down the hill at a great pace, beckoning them to follow.
"Not so fast, friend, not so fast!" panted Foster-father, "we be not all born on a mountain as thou art.