A familiar air of melancholy hung about this boy. Whatever happened to him back in his world was really none of Dot's business, no matter how curious she was about it. She knew that, and yet she couldn't help herself. She watches carefully as his whole body tenses and then gradually relaxes, her eyes sympathetic. She had already known the answer - she just wanted to hear it from the source. Adults can be selfish that way.

"Perhaps a little, but I can certainly understand. Things are a great deal more peaceful here than back in my home." As best she can tell, there hasn't been even a single murder since she got here. Imagine! "I wager it's much the same for you."