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I saw Una-Varae standing in our front yard, so I ran out shouting "Kayama!", I was about to hug her, but as I rose my arms, she gave me a sound slap on the face. I was petrified, my cheek was burning, and I felt like bursting into tears, but the glance she had given me made me believe I must not. Then my mother came, and she saw what had happened; she was furious, so she ordered una-Naghill to get lost, but una-Naghill gave a sarcastic smile and said: "I wouldn't come for you, Dzimmachi, would I. You do not have to honour me with your presence."
Then they went into silent talk.
I tried to break in their conversation, but as soon as I did I regret it, as Varae had pushed me away and send me warning sign so I stood aside.
She disappeared then, and my mother comforted me and went inside to question father about what had happened; I was left alone in the yard, when I heard Una-Naghill's voice calling me to meet her in Dolaea"r.
She invites me to sit in front of her, asking if I understood why she had slapped my face, and warned me to answer anything she asked. I was so scared of her that I didn't dare to talk back and nodded. She frowned and ordered to answer with my voice, not head jerks. Then she repeated her question, looking right into my eyes. I said perhaps I did something inappropriate, and she nodded.
"-Not only is it impolite, it is very dangerous. Do you greet every stranger this way?
-No, I don't. Only my mother, father and the Daenair.
-Haromin Viroka, - she said coldly, - you can not judge strangers by their appearance. Did you see my Yah colours?
-I saw them! Mother showed me all...
-Still, you must be alert. Did you mother tell you about the Hunt and the traitors among girars?
-Yes, I know that. And...
Naghill abruptly stopped me.
-Enough. Do not answer about what had not been asked. Less words, more quick thoughts. Understood?
-Yes.
-Now, how do you greet me when you see me next time? Show me.
I stood up, took four steps back and knelt, tucking my skirt under. I put straight hands together in and extended joined thumbs and index fingers, then laid them down and lowered my head to touch the ground.
Naghill laughed.
-Are you asking me to let you in, or inviting me?
I blushed, feeling stupid: what I did was not greeting, but permission to enter.
Then I opened my hands and laid them down with my palms open to the sky.
-Well, that's acceptable. Who has taught you, Viroka Junior?
-Aensa U-Taeimur, and Una Liyun and sometimes her sister...
-Hal. - she helped. - I got it. Well, you've got way to go.
Now you know how to behave with the guests. Some don't like to be touched and you must respect their wish to remain untact. Did you learn your lesson?
-Yes, I did,- I responded, - I am very grateful to you.
I bowed down to her, with my left hand fingers around my right wrist.
When raised my head, she had almost dispersed in Dolaea"r, as I heard her distant voice:
"Shi Alvush"
Then they went into silent talk.
I tried to break in their conversation, but as soon as I did I regret it, as Varae had pushed me away and send me warning sign so I stood aside.
She disappeared then, and my mother comforted me and went inside to question father about what had happened; I was left alone in the yard, when I heard Una-Naghill's voice calling me to meet her in Dolaea"r.
She invites me to sit in front of her, asking if I understood why she had slapped my face, and warned me to answer anything she asked. I was so scared of her that I didn't dare to talk back and nodded. She frowned and ordered to answer with my voice, not head jerks. Then she repeated her question, looking right into my eyes. I said perhaps I did something inappropriate, and she nodded.
"-Not only is it impolite, it is very dangerous. Do you greet every stranger this way?
-No, I don't. Only my mother, father and the Daenair.
-Haromin Viroka, - she said coldly, - you can not judge strangers by their appearance. Did you see my Yah colours?
-I saw them! Mother showed me all...
-Still, you must be alert. Did you mother tell you about the Hunt and the traitors among girars?
-Yes, I know that. And...
Naghill abruptly stopped me.
-Enough. Do not answer about what had not been asked. Less words, more quick thoughts. Understood?
-Yes.
-Now, how do you greet me when you see me next time? Show me.
I stood up, took four steps back and knelt, tucking my skirt under. I put straight hands together in and extended joined thumbs and index fingers, then laid them down and lowered my head to touch the ground.
Naghill laughed.
-Are you asking me to let you in, or inviting me?
I blushed, feeling stupid: what I did was not greeting, but permission to enter.
Then I opened my hands and laid them down with my palms open to the sky.
-Well, that's acceptable. Who has taught you, Viroka Junior?
-Aensa U-Taeimur, and Una Liyun and sometimes her sister...
-Hal. - she helped. - I got it. Well, you've got way to go.
Now you know how to behave with the guests. Some don't like to be touched and you must respect their wish to remain untact. Did you learn your lesson?
-Yes, I did,- I responded, - I am very grateful to you.
I bowed down to her, with my left hand fingers around my right wrist.
When raised my head, she had almost dispersed in Dolaea"r, as I heard her distant voice:
"Shi Alvush"
