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Oneafter the hour of calht the day’s scavenged leftovers into the shelter, Henry dried off and reenhouse to find Ishibashi The old scientist was there like always, puttering around the plantings On the floor was a large container that Henry had never seen before He dropped to his haunches next to it and peered in It was filled ater and a slilowed fluorescent blue "Ishibashi-san," said Henry, "what is this?"

"Seaweed," said the oldsome plants very carefully He counted out the drops of water under his breath "Also known as breakfast, for some But do not taste it"

Henry crinkled up his nose "I won’t Do you guys eat this?"

"Hai" Ishibashi rows only on the leeward side of the island, where your whale takes shelter in the cove She is a beautiful creature I spoke to her today as I was out collecting the seaweed"

Henry sniffed It smelled briny, but not terrible "Do you like this stuff?"

"Not really Ito and Sato eat it as a scientific experierous"

"What’s the experi on his plants and silently counting drops "Life," he said soleo down his spine He could tell by the way Ishibashi spoke that this was a precious secret not to be shared And as , he dared not ask et it

Every day thereafter, while Alex and the others worked on spell coht him about each plant: how to identify it, what its special properties were, and how it could be used to heal cuts and bruises or to ease pain Henry recognized a few of the plants that were also native to Artimé

He pointed them out "I’ve seen these before"

"They caht them in the tube" The scientist turned to Henry "I see Alex-san has given up on fixing it?"

"Yes," Henry said "He tried, but it’s no use"

Ishibashi nodded "That wasor anyone"