Tao came to the door and met Ahe's eyes. He froze, then slowly lowered his hands. A bright ting reached him again. Tao did not look as though she had only just begun to hear it.

You could hear it all along? he asked. Tao nodded. Ahe looked down at his empty hands. I wanted to take it without asking you. I thought covering my ears would keep me from being found out. I'm sorry.

This time he did not tuck the truth inside an excuse. The bell stayed safely on its bracket, and he left it alone. Giving up the plan to steal it brought more relief than his clever trick had.