Sublime

child, often the smallest or weakest of the flock, as I was, is named after the most despicable things: demon, ghost child, pig snout, monkey-born, buffalo head, bastard—little dog being the more tender one. Because evil spirits, roaming the land for healthy, beautiful children, would hear the name of something hideous and ghastly being called in f

"Quit sniveling," he snarls at me. "You're sore enough on the eyes as it is, and he needs to think he's getting a good deal with you. If I had any other daughters left to give away, I would, but all I've got left is you—"