The woman smiled. She hadn't run away in horror. That was one thing. "Stop crying, will you?" she told the children, who lowered their voices but still sniffed and sobbed.

"Please, leave them be and sit down. They... they were in the care of a rather careless nanny," she made up as she went. "and developed some bad habits along the way." It wasn't a complete lie. The children had been in the care of their 'nan' and they'd have been cared for better if they'd been raised by a pack of wild wolves. "Which is why I am taking such care now. I want them to get a good upbringing." Women were harder to control than men. The whole letting one's legs spread was generally less efficient. But women responded well to flattery.