"I can chop vegetables," he agreed, and pulled a chopping knife out of the knife drawer. Onion, carrots, and celery were the base of a whole lot of good soups and stews, especially if garlic was in the mix, or potatoes.

He glanced over his shoulder at the twins, but they were busy with a balled-up pair of clean black socks that had rolled under the sofa the last time he'd been folding laundry. He had more socks, so he hadn't bothered to get those socks back out yet.

"Depends on who's asking and why," he replied, and looked down at Inej as he did. "Is there something you want to know?"