Elin did not understand why Big Brother was pretending to be a fox.
He had only knelt before her one night and said, very stern and serious, that she must never speak his name where other people could hear. And if he was ever brought to the Bloom Quarter, she must run and fetch him before anyone else got their hands on him.
He had not told her why.
He only said she must do as he asked if she wished to keep living here.
Elin remembered the cold streets and the empty belly and the nights when there was nowhere warm to sleep, so she had nodded very fast and promised.
Besides, she liked it here.
The senior disciple who watched over her was kind. She always smiled when she spoke, even when she said silly things, and sometimes she let Elin help.
Because Elin could speak to every beast and bird, she was also allowed to stay beside the keeper and care for the little creatures of the Quarter.
She did not want Big Brother to come and take her away, so she did exactly as he said.
