"Very likely not," he agreed a little more amiably, but not much. It had always been difficult for him to remain angry, or act embittered in any way toward a precocious child (hence why Gavroche got away with just so much), but even so there was a residual wariness from the ordeal of the day that he couldn't help but show openly. The Capitol was, perhaps, getting to him at last.

"I suppose it's never been essential to their survival to consider such things. How fortunate for them."