"He only goes in spring," Nonce broke in over the wailing of the baby. He walked to the stove and began to help Nin, slicing bread for the meal. "He —"

"He goes in summer, too! Everyone goes in summer!" Wek argued. "You just don't notice because —"

"Who goes in summer? It's too hot," Tawn broke in. "Leed likes the cool water and long swims. And —"

"Food," Hinen said, leaning over to snatch a piece of bread off the counter. "Leed likes his meals. He'll be back before long — ow!" he cried as Nonce rapped his knuckles with a wooden spoon.

The baby began to cry again, and Jaret took her from Mesan's arms. Tinta began to quarrel with the other young boy.

"I agree with Jaret," Tonai said serenely over the noise of the baby crying and the voices raised in a quarrel. "I would search the forest, not the sea."

"I said the sea, not the forest!" Jaret protested. "You never listen to a word —"

"What do I know anyway?" Tonai broke in, shrugging.

"You know plenty, old man," the elder Nin said. "Except when to go to bed."

"I know when to eat," Tonai said, seating himself at the table with great pleasure. Nin ladled some soup in a bowl.

"I think he went back to Rutan on his own," Garth said. "That would make sense. He did not want to worry us."

A storm of argument broke out over this last suggestion. Jaret and Hinen began to shout. Tinta upset the plate full of bread. Bu began to hiccup, and Jaret handed her to Ganeed.

Ganeed smiled at the Jedi over the baby's shoulder as she patted her back. "You see? We have no idea where Leed could be."