"I know," she said without blinking, "just like I taught her to be. Believe you me, Sean," she continued, drawling, padding around the bed back to the side he stood on, "you should count your blessings that I'm the strongest one in here, as opposed to, say, your cousin."

She smiled, slowly, clearly amused.

"Because he is in here with us, Sean, and I'm sure he'd love to say hello."