The headpiece is a steroescopic interference sight. Like binoculars-but fifteen meters from lens to lens, for rangefinding. And the right sock is actually, when you squint, the same length as the left-but the left sock stays up and the right one steadfastly lies down on the job. Even when Rozalin stopped to pull it up, it just fell back down as soon as she took a step.

"Luck of the draw, but not particularly good luck, I think you will agree. This skirt is entirely too short, the undergarments pinch uncomfortably, and the collar is made of metal. And it's still better than what I started out in." She looked Ember up and down. "It seems you're no better off than I was."