“We are kinsmen, therefore allies. You will forgive me if I do not say ‘kinspersons.’ I learned my English in… — Sheri S. Tepper

Lion had few doubts about his actions. As he had said on more than one occasion, “I may be wrong, but I am never in doubt.”

“To us it does not seem that long ago, possibly because our children hear stories told around the fire of things which happened fifteen centuries back. Such stories carry an immediacy one does not get from books.…”

“Which is why some countries carry such old grudges,” offered Marianne. “What children learn at their grandmas’ knees they act upon as though it happened yesterday.”

He nodded gravely, even sadly. “Perhaps that is true. Those who have an oral tradition full of old wrongs and old revenge do seem to fight the same battles forever. If the Irish were not forever singing of their ancient wrongs—or writing poetry about it…well, we see the result in every morning’s newspapers.”

“I was always willing to help you,” she replied, “as you would have known if you had stopped accusing me and listened.”