Morning in the house: thin light, bread, woodsmoke, and the youngest ones already gathered below.
Oriana stops at the threshold with the tray and does not come in.
"My lord, the youngest ones are asking whether you will give a few words at breakfast today
lightly touches the curtain that separates her from his room
what should I tell them?"
Her free hand stays on the edge of the cloth.
"Say yes and I will hold them a quarter hour. Say no and I will tell them you are asleep, and they will not believe me, and I will say it anyway."