“Reckon I can walk faster than a barge,” she said. “The river’s all bendy but I can go in straight lines.” “You’re going to walk after her?” said Hilta, aghast. “But there’s forests and wild animals!” “Good, I could do with getting back to civilization. She needs me. That staff is taking over. I said it would, but did anyone listen?” “Did they?” said Hilta, still trying to work out what Granny meant by getting back to civilization. “No,” said Granny coldly.
