[ Childermass can only shake his head and turn to go, saying as he does, ]

We've done impossible things before because we had our impossible ally. She's not here. We've run out of all our luck.

[ But if whatever slim chance of survival depends on points and work, well, he's moving on to start in a new spot, well away from the rest of the carnival people. Fewer people to speak to, fewer people to struggle with names over. ]