Innon and I, who were seated side by side at the far end of the long table from Uncle Darian, tried to outdo each other in snobbish manners. I don't even know how it started. I was conscientiously lifting my punch glass, curling my pinky, and I caught his eye. Then he did it, too, but his pinky was much more curled--and the game was on. Father was so pleased he smiled at us. What a disgusting pair Innon and I made! Peitar's eyes narrowed with skeptical humor, but the adults paid no attention, just kept talking and laughing in well-bred voices, as the painted eyes of past kings and queens looked down on us.