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Hus-na, dus-na, teesh-na, keesh-na.
Pec-na, sec-na, ha-na-nya!”
The rest of the group joined in, repeating the syllables and the tone. Then, with a mischievous grin, Talut, keeping the same tones and pace, looked at Deegie and changed to words.
“What is pretty Deegie wishing?
Branag, Branag, share my bed.
Where is pretty Deegie going?
Home to empty furs instead.”
Deegie blushed, but smiled, while everyone chuckled knowingly. When Talut repeated the first question, the rest of the group joined in on the answer, and after the second, they sang out the reply. Then they joined Talut in singing the refrain.
“Hus-na, dus-na, teesh-na, keesh-na,
Pec-na, sec-na, ha-na-nya!”
They repeated it several times, then Talut improvised another verse.
“How does Wymez spend the winter?
Making tools and wanting fun.
How does Wymez spend the summer?
Making up for having none!”
Everyone laughed, except Ranec. He roared. When the verse was repeated by the group, the usually undemonstrative Wymez turned red at the gentle jab. The toolmaker’s habit of taking advantage of the Summer Meetings to compensate for his essentially celibate winter life was well known.
Jondalar was enjoying the teasing and joking as much as the others. It was just the kind of thing his people might do. But at first, Ayla didn’t quite understand the situation, or the humor, especially when she noticed Deegie’s embarrassment. Then she saw it was done with good-natured smiling and laughter, and the jibes were taken in good grace. She was beginning to understand verbal humor, and the laughter itself was contagious. She, too, smiled at the verse directed at Wymez.
Talut started the refrain of measured syllables again when everyone quieted down. Everyone joined him, anticipating now.
“Hus-na, dus-na, teesh-na, keesh-na,
Pec-na, sec-na, ha-na-nya!”
Talut looked at Ayla, then, with a smug grin, began:
“Who wants Ayla’s warm affection?
Two would like to share her furs.
Who will be the rare selection?
Black or white the choice is hers.”
It pleased Ayla to be included in the joking, and thou
gh she wasn’t sure if she completely understood the meaning of the verse, she flushed with warmth because it was about her. Thinking about the previous night’s conversation, she thought the rare black and white must refer to Ranec and Jondalar. Ranec’s delighted laughter confirmed her suspicion, but Jondalar’s strained smile bothered her. He wasn’t enjoying the joking now.
Barzec then picked up the refrain, and even Ayla’s untrained ear detected a fine and distinctive quality in the timbre and tone of his voice. He, too, smiled at Ayla, signaling who would be the subject of his teasing verse.
“How will Ayla choose a color?
Black is rare but so is white.
