Stranger in a Strange Land

Andrea bowed, having a vague memory that this was the accepted etiquette in far away places, even for women. Besides, a process of elimination suggested that it was the right thing to do. It was unlikely that the child and herself would have a language in common, and since she was wearing trousers she could not curtsey.

Solemnly the boy - or could he perhaps be a dwarf? - bowed in return.

"Can you understand me?" Andrea asked, not very hopefully.

1. In reply the child came forth with a torrent of words, none of which Andrea could understand. It seemed clear that the answer to her question was "no".
2. "Welcome, glasshopper," the boy said. Andrea understood the first word, but what was a glasshopper? Was she one?
3. Perhaps what Andrea had said sounded like a terrible insult in the local language, for the boy's face contorted in rage.

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