[When she was blind, the man with the kindliest face she had ever seen smacked her with a walking stick. He made her listen and struggle and he would hit her when she failed. But never too hard. She was never afraid of him, the way she had been of Weese, who beat her terribly for looking at him.

Kind men can be violent men, just the same as cruel men. She doesn't shake long.]

Yes, only I have to get back to the Gate. I should be on stage soon, and they're the very first lines Izembaro's given me - he'll never put me on stage again if I don't show up!