title: The Kweeks of Kookatumdee
author:  Bill Peet 
description: "The story's ending is a real treat. Colorful pictures add mirth to the swift verses." -- <i>Review</i>
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  [Contents](0743498755_toc.htm)
  
  # **CHAPTER TEN**
  
  "Duran."
  
  Duran turned from his shelves to Kekoja, who was already spreading out the
  coppers he had earned on the countertop.
  
  "Good day?" Duran asked.
  
  "Oh, aye." The Sabirn boy grinned widely. "You hear about that warehouse fire,
  next block over? Boom!"
  
  "I heard. So waterlogged it wouldn't burn, thank the gods. Rain's to _some_
  advantage. . . . Well!" Duran counted up the coppers and shook his head in
  wonder. Thirty-one coins lay on his counter.
  
  "Best yet," Kekoja said pridefully
  
  "Here, lad." He gave the boy his percentage, and deposited the rest in his
  belt pouch. "You did a damned fine job."
  
  "Guess so.Had many people in here today?"
  
  "No." He knocked into a pot, grabbed after it before it went off the edge.
  "Damn! I've been so clumsy today!" He gestured at the waste-bin. "Two pots,
  _two!_ I've broken."
  
  Kekoja lifted an eyebrow. "Not like you," he said, not smiling in r