"Not in my experience," he confesses, then gives a small shrug - "But I haven't exactly experienced the whole of this dimension. I am - believe it or not - rather provincial, at least by some yardsticks."

What a charming thought, though. Not the sprinkles themselves - who gives a damn - but Beth herself, enjoying something as commonplace and simple as ice cream with little candies on top. It's nice to imagine the girl as a girl, not in the midst of war, not running and ducking from her shambling dead men, but just enjoying something sweet. Something as unsophisticated as sugar-on-top-of-sugar.

"But perhaps we do not. Perhaps once this war has ended, that can be how you become rich and fabulous. You can go to Vorbarr Sultana, and open a little shop. Begin a whole craze."