i can not be here at all the whole day . ) one more person will be a big help , i said . `` is she deaf so she does n't care if he yells his head off at her ? '' she 'd miss the rushes , the danger , the excitement , but river was more important . he descended slowly and carefully , more aware than ever that he was missing half a hand and that the steel rungs were slimy with oil and some thicker stuff that was probably moss . 