Beth giggles along with Lakshmibai. She remembers the children at the prison, clamoring after Carol to hear stories. Of course, there was more to Carol's story hours than Tom Sawyer alone, but it's easy to remember her own childhood, too, asking everyone else in the house to read to her.

"Love," she answers immediately. That's an easy choice. The whole world is war--no matter what world you're on, it turns out. She smiles at Lakshmibai, a little tentative. "Or--anything you know with a happy ending."