If we did we could send a message for the new spear . ' ` Taffy , ' said Tegumai , ` how often have I told you not to use slang ? `` Awful '' is n't a pretty word , but it could be a convenience , now you mention it , if we could write home . ' Just then a Stranger-man came along the river , but he belonged to a far tribe , the Tewaras , and he did not understand one word of Tegumai 's language . He stood on the bank and smiled at Taffy , because he had a little girl-daughter Of his own at home . Tegumai drew a hank of deer-sinews from his mendy-bag and began to mend his spear . ` Come here , said Taffy . ` Do you know where my Mummy lives ? ' And the Stranger-man said ` Um ! ' being , as you know , a Tewara . ` Silly ! ' said Taffy , and she stamped her foot , because she saw a shoal of very big carp going up the river just when her Daddy could n't use his spear . ` Do n't bother grown-ups , ' said Tegumai , so busy with his spear-mending that he did not turn round . ' I are n't , said Taffy . ' I only want him to do what I want him to do , and he wo n't understand . ' ` Then do n't bother me , said Tegumai , and he went on pulling and straining at the deer-sinews with his mouth full of loose ends . The Stranger-man -- a genuine Tewara he was -- sat down on the grass , and Taffy showed him what her Daddy was doing . The Stranger-man thought , this is a very wonderful child . She stamps her foot at me and she makes faces . She must be the daughter of that noble Chief who is so great that he wo n't take any notice of me . '
So he XXXXX more politely than ever .
bother came going said saw smiled take told understand want