Third Voice: Then Americy. A whole continent to name an incontinent hour.

Theodosia: A sad, kind-voiced creature. Given to religious practices.

Third Voice: Then Theodosia, given the surname Bell, the first so honored. Named for Theodosia Singleton, born Bell, sister to the Old War Horse. Godmother sucks all day at the sugar-tit of books, turns back again to the nipple to avoid knowledge.

Second Voice: I drink to the health of the unbegotten!

Third Voice: Then Stiggins. Curious eyes bent down at the corners. Slobbery mouth. A steel-cunning in his hand. Elastic speed, recoil and reach.

First Voice: Man is a nervous system. I once saw a picture of a man, a real likeness.

Second Voice: I drink to the health of the unbegotten! [Shouting.] I drink to the health!

First Voice: He looked like something you might expect to see under a microscope. A ten-thousand-footed octopus, a rigmarole, a many-fanged serpent. A real likeness.

Theodosia: Something you might see under a microscope?