Few insiderish nuggets leaven the mix—though Mrs Clinton does explain why the secret service dislikes VIPs visiting Buddhist temples (they feel unready for emergencies without their shoes).
They're becoming like the men of the pre-Guild legend, she thought: Like themen of the lost star-searcher, Ampoliros-sick at their guns—foreverseeking, forever prepared and forever unready.
Ironically, despite the fact that the growing rallying cry for war was " free trade and sailors' rights, " shippers in the Northeast were quite unready for war.
In course of time she realized that if her wretchedness had not made her forget things, she would have known that poor, dull Ermengarde was not to be blamed for her unready, awkward ways.