As the youngsters, who left the Forty-First Herb Garden before their time was up, were heading to Mel's house, all of them were looking at the burly young man carrying the injured girl on his back. While the other girls in the group were whispering to each other, the boys were waiting for what Mel was going to say.
"If I knew he would get me on his back, I'd cripple myself too!"
"Look at that! How happy she is! I'm so jealous!"
A few girls in the ten-people crew were grumbling, but one of them was smiling from ear to ear. She was resting her head on Mel's back and holding his neck with both of her hands. The girl's face, which was rewarded for writhing in pain in the cave where she had fallen all day, reddened with each breath.
"Mel, we are all curious about your opinion. There is at least one hour to arrive at your house. Wouldn't you want to begin to tell?"
