"Oh, letters! I haven't had much opportunity for receiving any as a wanderer--or... anyone to send them to..." her face shadows for a moment, but she soldiers on, "But sometimes someone will give a meal for help writing or reading one, or a few coins for bringing it to the next town on my way. Being able to send them quickly and easily sounds a marvelous innovation."

"And it certainly seems as though you have had a great deal of opportunity to practise reading, it makes sense that you would be skilled. I can read and write, of course, but paper is expensive."