'why , did not i tell you he had been stolen from me ? ' he likes to surprise me by acting human from time to time . then his mouth came to my ear . `` maybe we could go shopping together sometime . '' she had excuses for dad , she had the house clean and the table ready , even though she worked all day . `` an ostrich , '' came a harsh whisper beneath the balcony . he had a hard time imagining clam bay buzzing . 