The scene: Our dining room, 7:00 a.m.  Nicholas is eating a Grape-nuts Smile.  Mama is eating Tomato Toast and reading the newspaper, wherein she discovers some facts that might interest a 7-year-old.

MAMA: Did you know?  The starfish is not really a fish.  Also, it has no brain and no blood.

NICK: Did you know?  Some princesses are not really princesses.  They are made of garbage bags stacked up and painted different bright colors.  With lipstick.

(A moment of startled silence passes.)

MAMA: I did not know that.

NICK: Well, I did not know about the starfish having no brain or blood.  But I knew it was not a fish.  Anyone can see that.