The stranger has come; she has her place in the house. Her tattoos are not like ours, But she's young, she's beautiful, just what my husband wanted; the nights aren't long enough for their play. Since she's come, the house is not the same, as though the doorsills and the walls were sulking; Perhaps I'm the only one who notices it, like a mule before his empty manger. But I must accept my new lot, for my husband is happy with his new wife. Once I, too, was beautiful, but my time is past.

— Nine parts of desire by Geraldine Brooks (Page 71 - 72)