“Might I," quavered Mary, "might I have a bit of earth?”

“But I might—” he bit out. “Tell me you’re not a fucking virgin.” “No, I’m not a fucking virgin. Virgins have yet to fuck, remember?”

“It made me feel better. Mouse might not have been thesmartest creature on earth, but he was steady, kind, loyal, andwas possessed of the uncanny wisdom of beasts for knowingwhom to trust. I might not have been a superhero, but Mousethought that I was pretty darned cool. That meant something. Itwould have to be enough.”

“In my case, I was not frightened in the least bit at the thought that I might live because I was certain, quite certain, that I was already dead. ”

“I might walk vast expansesof earth and always be beginningand I love beginningor could learnto love it.”

“I might be a touch of a sadist and a little bit jejune... but at least I'm not a victim, not any longer. I hope. I hope, therefore I am.”