"Something else happened, too,"she said. "I think I know who I am now.I am a sort of princess."This was a lightning promotion, one which took even Madelene bysurprise and for a brief moment she threatened to metamorphose from abird into a balloon."It's got nothing to be royal," she said. "It has something to do withbeing chosen for something important."The ape moved a few paces away from her and straddled a low parapet."Bowel movement," it said in explanation.It defecated with the horse-dropping weight of the vegetarian, like anearthquake in a compost heap. Then it was by her side once more, put its arm around her, took a few rapidly accelerating strides and leapt into the night.