"In fact it really was amazing what could be done with several ounces of heavy metal, some irritated molluscs, a few dead rodents and a lot of thread wound out of insect's bottoms. The dress wasn't so much worn as occupied; if the outlying flounces weren't supported on whels, then Keli was stronger than he'd given her credit for."
Terry Pratchett - Mort
Fascinating facts of the day. If you deconstruct a dress and find the most reduced descriptions to portray its components, it makes the complete thing seem even more complicated and ridiculous than a visual would.
Serves nicely as a criticism, too.
There's so much in this book, even in small sidelines like this one: "I certainly don't need your help, my lad! I've been sacrificing man and boy - and, mm, women and animals ..." At every turn Pratchett's misgivings on several topics shines through. Admittedly, in later books he adheres to One Misgiving Written Large. The early ones dole that out more sparingly and on a wide range of topics.
