What kind of a universe would it be if we could not do small kindnesses for one another? — Sheri S. Tepper

Disillusionment, pain, unpleasant surprise, all were part of growing up.

“Each day we investigate all premises within three blocks of the palace. Lookin’ for anarchists and revolutionaries, so they tell us, not that we’ve ever found any. Found a nest of revisionists once, but nobody cared.”

“What were they revising?” she asked, truly curious.

“Don’t know. Didn’t ask ’em.”

“Sometimes I despair, Ellat. Will I ever be able to surprise you?”

“Yes. If you’d listen to me, ever, it would surprise me enormously.”