Mr. Martin and his wife questioned the two of them on what had happened in the evening, and so Li Du provided them with a detailed explanation.
The whole time, the couple kept making the sign of the cross at their chests. Their conclusion was just like that of Sophie's, that God had blessed them and sent an archangel to rescue them.
Li Du took out the birthday present he had brought for Mr. Martin—narwhal's tooth.
Mr. Martin taught history, not biology. He asked in bewilderment, "What's this?"
With a smile, Li Du shared the identity of the tooth. Mr. Martin stroked the smooth glossy exterior of the tooth, and said in astonishment, "This is a narwhal's tooth? God, it's beautiful! But, is it legal to keep this thing in a personal collection?"
