"I don't doubt it. The Lady Devourer's a good friend, good sort. You don't become a god for no reason...mostly. But our places are different. Her citizens make money off religion; mine make religion out of money. Or so I envisage it developing."

"Anyway, I have...a system," he adds, with what he knows is the utmost vagueness, almost petulantly arbitrary, smiling. "Churlish pup, what makes you think I don't? —Though of course, I couldn't tell it to you, for any number of reasons."