"I work very, very hard to present myself that way. If I don't, people might think I'm just some weak sister. I'm short and I'm pretty and I'm...well, you know. I have to put in twice the work to get the same respect. I always have. Asking others to take care of me, that's like admitting I'm not as strong as I seem."

A pause, he rattles the ice in his glass. "Besides, if anyone's the foundation, it's probably John, which is why it's a damned shame he's prone to such misfortune. He's steady and reasonable and wise."