“My goodness, girl, just come in. You’re always welcome.” “You’re as thin as my finest thread. Sit. Sit. Let me get you something to eat.”

“Margg’s a mean old grump, a spiteful hag and an overgrown bully.”

“I believe Valek’s sweet on you. I’ve never seen him take such an interest in a food taster before. He usually trains them and leaves them alone. If there was any potential for trouble, he would assign one of his sneaks to spy on the taster, but he wouldn’t bother with him personally, let alone live with one!”