Lost Places Read Online Free PDF Page A

Crimple,” Tanger explained patiently. “They don’t have to make them.”
    â€œNo!” Crimple’s eyes widened in astonishment.
    Tanger nodded his head sharply several times. “It’s true, true, quite true. They have wings before they have feathers.”
    â€œDogfroth!” Crimple’s tiny shoulders sagged. “I suppose it’s butterfly wings for me then.”
    â€œOnly caterpillars get butterfly wings, Crimple.”
    â€œBut I don’t want to be a caterpillar!” Crimple protested. “Two legs are quite enough for me, thank you!”
    â€œQuite enough for me, too!” Tim declared.
    â€œAnd me!” Molly chimed in, giggling.
    The two little sticklike creatures started. Tanger’s head whipped back so suddenly to stare up at Tim and Molly that his tiny spectacles fell off. Crimple took one openmouthed look at the two friends looming over him, then dropped theunfinished grass wings and dashed into the hole at the base of the tree.
    â€œCrimple!” Tanger called after the narl. He fumbled in the grass for his specs, then put them back on, hooking the flexible wire frames around his large, pointed ears. He shook his head. “Don’t know what’s come over that twigling,” he told Tim apologetically.
    â€œWe didn’t mean to scare him,” Tim said.
    â€œThink nothing of it,” Tanger said. “The Opener is always welcome, you know that. And so does he. I’ll see what I can do.” He stroked his long pointy nose a few times and then followed Crimple into the tree. Tim could hear him trying to reason with the nervous narl.
    â€œI won’t go out. Make my excuses,” Crimple said.
    â€œNow, Crimple…”
    â€œTell them I’m not feeling very leafy today.”
    â€œCrimple, don’t be a stick-in-the-mud.”
    â€œI wish I was a perishing stick,” Crimple muttered.
    â€œWe can do without that kind of talk. Besides, it’s the Opener himself!”
    â€œYes,” Crimple hissed. “But who’s he got with him?”
    Tim and Molly exchanged a look. Tim shrugged. “I told you they were shy,” he said,hoping Molly wouldn’t feel slighted by Crimple’s reaction to her. It had never occurred to him that anyone might not welcome Molly instantly.
    She looked worried. “Should I leave?”
    â€œNo! No, I’m sure Tanger will work it all out,” Tim reassured her.
    â€œIf you’re positive…” Molly said uncertainly.
    â€œI am.” He motioned to her to be quiet.
    â€œThe Opener is the only one who’s supposed to see us,” Crimple declared. “That’s the rule, isn’t it?”
    â€œHmm. That is true.” Tim heard Tanger take a long pause.
    The narl must be trying to figure out how all this works, Tim reasoned. Good luck to him! I’m the so-called Opener, and even I don’t understand it!
    â€œBut it was the Opener who ordained the rules, you know,” Tanger said finally. “Therefore, it stands to reason that if he wishes to alter it, why—”
    â€œFizzle!” Crimple cut off Tanger. “I’m not going out there and that’s final.”
    Tanger let out a long sigh. “Very well, twigling. Suit yourself.”
    Tanger reappeared outside the hollow in the base of the trunk. He gave a small bow to Tim. “Good morning, your Openership.” He bowed to Molly. “And good morning to you, too, miss.” Hesquinted at her. “Assuming you can see me, of course.”
    â€œI certainly can, and quite pleased to do so,” Molly replied. “It is a true honor.”
    â€œFor me as well.”
    Tim grinned. If bark could blush, Tanger’s cheeks would be red. He seemed quite smitten. And it was clear to Tim that Molly was equally charmed by the little narl.
    â€œMy apologies for Crimple,” Tanger said. He shook his head. “He can have some awfully