How could a person be so passionate about something? There was little that Nesah was interested in, let alone passionate about. What an oddball, she thought with jealous cynicism.

"Oh, I agree that social events can be equally annoying," she commented - though in her case that was mostly because concerned family and friends were starting to ask whether there were enough suitable men in her circle, and would introduce her to their friends' and relatives' sons. At least here she didn't have to suffer that pressure. She could, on the other hand, enjoy a juicy bit of gossip (if it wasn't about her) and she was deprived of that here.

She had not been to any social events here, and did not miss it too much. She did not easily feel alone, though she wouldn't mind having a lady friend to lift the boredom of this mediocre little town.

"I don't think men are worse gossipers than women..." she reflected. "But women are punished much harsher when their reputations are ruined..." Admittedly, Nesah had little compassion for such women. Of course she had heard of respectable young ladies in her own environment who had gotten pregnant and were ostracised, but Nesah felt it was their own fault and kind of dumb. It was the double standard that bothered her.