"Hmm..." Jubilost locks his hands behind his back. "Well you see... I understand well what the Bleaching is, w

"Hmm..." Jubilost locks his hands behind his back. "Well you see... I understand well what the Bleaching is, what a fatal effect it has on gnomes. Those poor fellows were acting like that for no darker motive than desperation. Their foolish jokes allow them to live just a little bit longer. Do you see? I don't mind becoming the joke myself – for a while, of course, and not if my life was being threatened. It let someone live a couple days longer."