A fine, handsome disciple, so mannered. If Asgeirr were given to doubt — but he is not! — he might question the purposelessness of this brief exchange, bereft of practical conclusion.

Instead, he perks to attention when disciple Shoushou begs his leave, and interrupts on two matters: the first, if disciple Shoushou will return? He is alone here, so often, and too few come to talk. It was an art, in his day, to converse fairly and in the spirit of learning and the sharing of rhetoric. But it lies forgotten.

And the second, "Will you bring me a butterfly?"