The girl is obviously hearing everything he says, because she repeats a few of the more wordlike of his sounds back to him in the classic reinforcement game.

The landlady chuckles too, but then turns to the next customer.

And Ben suddenly bounces past on all four as a piercing squeaking comes from a corner of the room. "I'm coming! No fear, you'll be free soon."

"Stupid tribble," says a tall kid in a yellow raincoat.