Maaa, it iiiss? [ That had to be one of the most intriguing introductions Maisy had heard to a region. She looks to the book he set aside, and then him, and there's an urge to sit down to listen to him.

... so she does, though there's no knowing whether he'll be interested in telling her anything. But she does it anyway, plopping the basket into her lap, before asking-- ]

Can you telll me theeem? Do you know theeem?