“People fear stone,†Usha said, “because it contains never-life.â€
“Non-life? You mean, death?â€
“Nonsense,†she repeated vehemently. “What’s to fear about death? Death is natural. Stone is -life.â€
Spinel took another tack. “If they fear it, then how come enough Sharers want it so the traders stock shelves full?â€
“How should I know? Why do Valans drink the toxic waste product of sugar-eating yeast?â€
Joan Slonczewski