"A deep-voiced fellow was saying, "--and the way they stare down their noses at you, as if you're the lowest of the low. Half the time they won't even talk to you when you ask them a friendly question. They just turn their shoulder and walk away." "Aye," said another man. "And their women--as beautiful as statues and about half as inviting." "That's because you're a right ugly bastard, Svern, that's why." "It's not my fault my father had a habit of seducing milkmaids wherever he went. Besides, you're hardly one to point fingers; you could give children nightmares with that face of yours."