"This," Break says, with immense dignity, "is the Lady Buttercup von Fuzzbutt."

Gently, he picks her up out of the bucket. Less rodent, more weasel. She sniffs at the tray, but when there isn't any food to be found, she snubs it in favor of running up Break's arm to settle on his shoulder.

"She belongs to Hatter, but visits me often."