“And what, pray, have I done to offend you, Nicoleta?”
“Nothing… I guess,” replied Nicoleta, unconvincingly, while keeping her gaze very determinedly fixed on the road. “It’s just… I heard all that ‘ignorant gypsy’ stuff. I had no idea you felt that way about my people.”
“I… don’t,” she answered, momentarily taken aback. “I’m sorry. I was angry with your sister, and with that wretched lover of hers. I wasn’t thinking.”
“I see. That sort of insult just comes naturally, then?” asked Nicoleta, with totally deceptive calm and indifference.
“Well… we are superior beings to all mortals, Nicoleta. As for the mortal races, I think no more ill of any one in particular than of all the rest. Now, would you kindly make this wretched contrivance move faster, if it can?”