We sure as ruddy heck ain't in Prentisstown no more," I say to Manchee under my breath.

But,' he thinks, 'it's possible to die before you die.

Never trust a politician, Todd. They have no fixed center, so you can never believe them.

And you," he says, "you need to talk to your boy." He lifts my chin. "And if he needs saving, then you save him. Isn't that what you told me you did for each other?" I let go a few more tears but then I nod. "Over and over again.

Noise ain't Truth, Noise is what men want to be true, and there's a difference twixt those two things so big that it could ruddy well kill you if you don't watch out.

A monster, I think, remembering what Ben told me once. War makes Monsters of Men.

Things change, but they stay the same.