“And since then, O Kings and Ladies, I have been wandering to find him and my happiness is so great that it even weakens me like a wound. And this is the marvel of marvels, that he called me Beloved, me who am but as a dog.”
“Eh? What’s that?” said one of the Dogs.
“Sir,” said Emeth. “It is but a fashion of speech which we have in Calormen.”
“Well, I can‘t say it’s one I like very much,” said the Dog. “He doesn‘t mean any harm,” said an older Dog. “After all,we call our puppies Boys when they don’t behave properly.”
“So we do,” said the first Dog. “Or girls.”
“S.s.sh!” said the Old Dog. “That‘s not a nice word to use. Remember where you are.”