'
'Then why?'
'I take a small chance in feeding him, and treating his wounds. You
have seen that I make it a point to feed him myself. I am not being
entirely unselfish. I know something of the ways of his kind.'
'Go on.'
'You see, they do not live in packs like the wolves, or with their
mates like the saber-toothed cats. But they are not completely alone,
either. They coexist, if that is the right word, and keep loose contact
with others of their kind.'
'Yes,' said Sylviana, beginning to understand. 'I remember
something about that from zoology. They're a much more social animal
than was first believed.' He nodded, though the words were unknown to
him.
'So you see, since this one is still young, and has lost touch with
his kindred---or he would not have come so far to the east---it is not
impossible that since I shared my meat with him, he would do the same
for me. He would not bring it here, any more than one tiger would take
its kill to another. But if another comes on the scene, they are
willing to share. And Sylviana, never have you seen such a Wintertime
hunter.'
Once more she began to feel a quiet respect for his experience, and
knowledge of his world.
'But how long before he's able to hunt?'
'He is young and strong, and unless I misread him, very determined.
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