Mary now looked vexed. It was strange watching her face move, almost as if it had simply not practiced making expressions in a while. "In some ways, it is our only outlet. It is the one place where all are equal."

"I'd never thought of that." Sadie found herself with a cat in her lap. It was a small motley-colored thing that was looking for a warm place to nap. "Does this one have a name?"

Mary looked over. "They all have names, but they have not bothered telling me what they are. They live with me because they choose to. And they help keep the mice population down."

Sadie...