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Sanko picked up the wood and for a moment the three shared the humor.

Just before sundown the mother served a meal of pasty rice.  Sanko sat starving,  waiting for the other two to begin eating.

"Forgive me for eating first."  She reached for the rice and paused.  She looked at Chi looking at her.  He smiled, and she took the rice.  Sanko was too tired to speak.  They ate in silence.

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