"Would you like to tell me what all this is?"

The wad of paper slapping against the surface of the dressing table raised such a cloud, Splendor thought the answer was obvious. Dust. Her nostrils tingled. She pushed a finger under her nose to stop herself sneezing. As for the wad itself? She cleared her throat.

"Leave us, Mrs. Ferret."

"Yes, milady ... "

"Stay where you are." Stillmore's voice was an abrasive murmur. Didn't anything really prick him? "I am ...