Rampa had known about the entire affair, then, and she had not. Ma-ah’s cheeks burned. She’d been given no such training. Why had Rampa? But now he threw his arms out in the same gesture Orona had used a moment earlier. Nothing happened. The last stone was quite small, but it didn’t budge from its place on the ground. Training or no, Rampa couldn’t do it. Maybe only Sumpter’s people could. Ma-ah glared at Sumpter for putting Rampa to such a test in front of everyone.

Yet no one seemed worried. There was no impatience. Rampa just stood there quietly, for that matter, his face quiet and expectant. The idiot, Ma-ah thought; then with a flash of self-indulgent triumph: it served him right. The suspense was more than she could bear. Suppose he failed—in front of his new mate and the entire group?

Memories flew to her mind, of times when he’d helped her; when except for him they might have starved; when except for his strength she might have given in to fear or panic. She wanted so to help him. But how? Suddenly the tingling in her fingers was so strong that she flinched. In her mind’s eye she saw the rock rise into the air, then fit into place. It had to! And the actual rock suddenly shot into the air with great jerks and wobbles, flew as if pushed by a great angry force, and slammed into place so vehemently that Ma-ah thought it would crash into pieces.

She almost laughed out loud. Rampa may have been clumsy, but he was effective! She looked over at him, disconcerted: he looked astonished and surprised. There was silence, inside-silence, outside-silence. Then all eyes turned to Ma-ah.

What for? Confused, she swung around to Sumpter—who began to laugh. His laughter was picked up by the others. Ma-ah stood haughtily, angrily. What were they laughing at? It was a great, generous relieved laughter, almost indulgent, as if she’d done something quite well—considering. Considering what?

Ma-ah looked at Rampa and Orona. They were whispering. For a moment Rampa looked over at her, and Ma-ah saw that he was furious. At what? Why should he be angry when everyone else was smiling at her? “What’s happening?” she said to Sumpter, since obviously the ban against talk was lifted. “Why is everyone so happy with me suddenly? And why is Rampa furious? I should be the one who’s mad, if anyone. After all, he left me—it’s his new dwelling—”