"What's wrong?" I asked her.
Karen squinted at me for a moment.
"What?"
Karen shook her head, and rolled her eyes.
"Can you understand me?"
Karen was back to squinting again.
At this point, I saw Sarah walking down the hallway. Seeing us, she strutted over and tossed an arm around Karen's shoulder.
"Oh John, you're such a communitarian." she spoke in a mock-friendly voice, "Still, it must be a priviledge to work with someone of such intellectual... endowments. It's a shame that your fairer peers aren't as keen to enjoy what I' sure is your unique pedagogy."
Turning to Karen now, still seemingly friendly. "Is everyone in your country as eager as you in demonstrating their oral skill?"
Karen still wouldn't say anything. She was blushing. Or fuming.
"Well, I suppose that you have to save your mouth for later. Ta!"
And Sarah walked off, still smiling cheerily.
It was only when I felt Karen's hand on my arm that I realized that I was turning the stone over in my pocket.
"Dzhonn? look to me. I am not understahnd all of uat she... speak? But I do know enawf. Toodae, enawf problem. Do not yooz.... Do not ask rohk. Plees"
