There was much to marvel at in that short sentence (for instance: Australia! Tess had gone to hear a Australian suffragist’s talk some time ago, because the colonies were taking action too, and by the sounds of it better than here), but she settled for smiling back, which was – for Tess, properly, to her customers – something of a rarity.

“Well, I’m sure we can help,” Tess said warmly, beginning to sift through the promotional drafts. Trying to build up a business was rather the story of her life, herself. “What kind of potions do you usually brew?”

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