`` i have heard the idle chatter of the beasts ; let us not read into it conscious and deliberate intent - `` `` sir , '' laurence said , and bore the looks which he received for having the temerity to interject , `` perhaps you are not aware that dragons learn their tongue in the shell , and do not ordinarily acquire another ; it can not be by coincidence that they brought a beast which could speak english , and easily communicate anything to our own . ''