he handed me a helmet covered in black velvet . dont tell me youre afraid of a bird ? he tugged a lock of hair gently . `` so what they can do , it does n't really matter . '' that was an old trail , long-abandoned and filled with fallen branches . with another crack , the ugly little creature appeared , looking very put out . ignorance in science was one thing . for a moment , i considered pulling it out to answer it , in case it was important . 