With a look he invited her to
come to him. She laid down the dice, during the momentary abstraction
of her playing-mates, and murmuring that she was tired, came and sat at
the feet of her champion.
"Wherefore dost thou retreat, Io?" Ta-user asked. "Art vanquished?"
"At one game, aye!" the girl replied vehemently.
Kenkenes laid his hand on her head and said to her very softly:
"If only our pride were spared, sweet Io, defeat were not so hard."
The girl lifted her face to him with some questioning in her eyes.
"Knowest thou aught of this game, in truth?" she asked.
He smiled and evaded. "I have not been fairly taught."
Ta-meri gathered up the stakes and Nechutes, collecting the dice, went
to find her a seat. But while he was gone, she wandered over to
Kenkenes and leaned on the back of his chair.
"Let me give thee a truth that seemeth to deny itself in the
expression," Io said, turning so that she faced the young artist.
"Say on," he replied, bending over her.
"The more indifferent the teacher in this game of love, the sooner you
learn," said Io. Kenkenes took the tiny hand extended toward him in
emphasis and kissed it.
"Sorry truth!" he said tenderly. As he leaned back in his chair he
became conscious of Ta-meri's presence and turned his head toward her.
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