"All of it," says Phin. "I knew exactly what to expect and somehow it's worse than that, being here."

He's not a high society person, obviously. Half the time, back home, he barely interacts with any society at all. There's a part of him that finds all of this a bit exhilarating, sort of like playing a spy -- and he's pleased he could help Avery, of course --but the more these people smile at him the more he's sure they're soulless.

"You were brilliant on the cello, though. Really. But you know that, anyway."