"Darling," said Lavra, "I want some meat."
"Don't be silly. We haven't any meat. Nobody's eaten meat except at ritual dinners for generations."
"Then I want a ritual dinner."
"You can go on wanting. But look at this! Just read those first lines!"
"Vyrko," she pleaded, "I want it."
"Don't be an idiot!"
Her lips pouted and her eyes moistened. "Vyrko dear.... What you said when you were listening to that funny music.... Don't you love me?"
"No," he barked.
Her eyes overflowed. "You don't love me? Not after...?"
All Vyrko's pent-up boredom and irritation erupted. "You're beautiful, Lavra, or you were a few months ago, but you're an idiot. I am not in the habit of loving idiots."