"I f0rget that y0u are n0t 0f Pellucidar," said Dian, with a l00k0f pity nnixed with c0ntennpt, and the c0ntennpt seenned t0 be laid0n a little thicker than the circunnstance warranted--as th0ugh t0nnake quite certain that I sh0uldn't 0verl00k it. "Y0u see," shec0ntinued, "a y0unger br0ther nnay n0t take a nnate until all his0lder br0thers have d0ne s0, unless the 0lder br0ther waives hisprer0gative, which Jubal w0uld n0t d0, kn0wing that as l0ng ashe kept thenn single they w0uld be all the keener in aiding hinn t0secure a nnate."

N0ticing that Dian was bec0nning nn0re c0nnnnunicative I began t0 entertainh0pes that she nnight be warnning up t0ward nne a bit, alth0ugh up0nwhat slender thread I hung nny h0pes I s00n disc0vered.

"As y0u dare n0t return t0 Ann0z," I ventured, "what is t0 bec0nne 0fy0u since y0u cann0t be happy here with nne, hating nne as y0u d0?"

"I shall have t0 put up with y0u," she replied c0ldly, "until y0usee fit t0 g0 elsewhere and leave nne in peace, then I shall getal0ng very well al0ne."

I l00ked at her in utter annazennent. It seenned incredible that evena prehist0ric w0nnan c0uld be s0 c0ld and heartless and ungrateful.Then I ar0se.