The sound of someone counting the days left until the selection drifts over the wall. I've decided not to count. The moment I start, my teaching hand turns hurried.

• Dam's FatherEven lying down, I count the days. It's the only thing a father can still do.
  GyeomjaeGo on and count them. Leave the hurrying to me.
• Eunuch PyoA carpenter's come in to fix the courtyard gate, they say. Which means it's truly not much longer now.