I'll ask ye this once," the woman says, lifting the rifle again. "Am I gonna need this?"
I exchange a glance with Viola.
"No," I say.
"No, mam," Viola says.
Mam? I think.
"It's like sir, bonny boy." The woman slings the rifle over her shoulder by its strap. "For if yer a-talking to a lady.

Autor: Patrick Ness