. . .

Swiftly they boil water in the bright copper kettle. They mash up woolen mittens, Mouser’s whisker, and the petals of the rose in a big glass bowl. They throw in ingredients from the package at random.

“It’s important to use drugs responsibly,” Jane says, breaking one pill in half before adding it to the bowl.

“And only as a doctor directs!” Linus confirms.

They pour boiling water over the mix, on the theory that space princess assassin nannies are basically like doctors.

“Well,” says Jane.

“Well,” agrees Tom.

“It’s a marvelous immortality elixir!” Jane says. “Bottoms up!”

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