'Yes, let's have a look at you...' said Nanny.
The small blue eyes focused on Nanny Ogg. The pink face on the small lolling head gave her a speculative look, working out whether she'd do as a drink or a toilet.
'That's good, at this age,' said Nanny. 'Focusing like that. Unusual in a babby.'
'If she is at this age,' said Magrat darkly.
'Hush, now. If Granny's in there she's not interfering. She never interferes. Anyway, it wouldn't be her mind in there, that's not how she works it.'
'What is it, then?'
'You've seen her do it. What do you think?'
'I'd say... all the things that make her her,' Magrat ventured.
'That's about right. She wraps 'em all up and puts 'em somewhere safe.'
'You know how she can even be silent in her own special way.'
'Oh, yes. No one can be quiet like Esme. You can hardly hear yourself think for the silence.'
They bounced in their seats as the coach sprang in and out of a pothole.
'Nanny?'
'Yes, love?'
'Verence will be all right, won't he?'
'Yep. I'd trust them little devils with anything except a barrel of stingo or a cow. Even Granny says the Kelda's damn good-'
'The Kelda?'
'Sort of a wise lady. I think the current one's called Big Aggie. You don't see much of their women. Some say there's only ever one at a time, and she's the Kelda an' has a hundred kids at a go.'
'That sounds... very...' Magrat began.
'Nah, I reckons they're a bit like the dwarfs and there's hardly any difference except under the loincloth,' said Nanny.
'I expect Granny knows,' said Magrat.
'And she ain't sayin',' said Nanny. 'She says it's their business.'
'And... he'll be all right with them?'
'Oh, yes.'
'He's very... kind, you know.' Magrat 's sentence hung in the air.
'That's nice.'
'And a good king, as well.'
Nanny nodded.
'It's just that I wish people took him... more seriously,' Magrat went on.
'It's a shame,' said Nanny.