I drew a sudden blank and fell back on polite ritual. “How are you today?” Codrin’s daughter tilted her head slightly and said, “I’m keeping.” “Right,” I said. “Of course.” I’m keeping is what we say in Gallacia to any such inquiry, and it covers such a broad range as to convey no information whatsoever. It can mean “I am filled with unspeakable joy, my gout is cured, and angels attend my every step,” or it can mean “a bear just ripped my leg off and I am, at this moment, bleeding out, but please don’t make a fuss.” Either way, you’re keeping.
