"She certainly is a remarkable young woman. So young, yet so well-spoken."
The woman set down the newspaper and chuckled.
The boy lowered his head and agreed:
"The south isn't full of ignorant fools. There are exceptional people there too."
"But all those talented southerners will serve me," the woman said with a smile. "This report may contain some exaggerations and inaccuracies, but the subject was well chosen. It highlights the south's ignorance and the north's enlightenment, showing that popular sentiment favors the alliance. We can use it as a model for our propaganda."
After a pause, her tone changed, and she said coldly:
"Your breathing faltered just now."
"I'm very interested in her." The boy raised his head and smiled. "Perhaps we have the same kind of soul. We both long for freedom."
The woman fell silent and studied his face for a moment before smiling.
"Then I can bring her here for you to meet. You're old enough to marry now. It's time you started getting to know women."
"It's still too early," the boy said, shaking his head.
But he knew that once the woman had decided something, his opinion would never change her mind.
It sounded like a suggestion, but it was really an announcement.
She was that overbearing.
The woman stood and glanced at her watch. It was time.
The medicine should have been more or less absorbed by now, too.
She picked up her briefcase and said:
"I'm leaving."
"Wait." For once, the boy stopped his sister and said quietly, "I have a suggestion. I'd like to try stopping the medicine for a few days, then..."
"Enough." The woman cut him off, her golden eyes fixed on him. "Don't ever bring that up again!"
After a pause, her tone softened:
"Do you doubt me?