Every wall is marked with tallies. The ones who lasted longest always have one line left unfinished.

• NicaMa'am, whose wall is the one with twenty-three lines?
  ServiliaDon't ask. Just keep your own wall empty.
• GalbaWhitewash a wall like that. The children see it.
  ServiliaDoes whitewash make it invisible? Then I'll whitewash that house's ledger too.