I looked at him levelly until he grew sober. “What does it matter what she thinks? Let her think whatever is easiest for her to believe.”

“Meaning?”

“She needed someone to confide in and, for a time, chose me. Perhaps it was easier for her to do that if she believed I was a woman, also.” He sighed again. “That is one thing that in all my years among your folk I have never become accustomed to. The great importance that you attach to what gender one is.”

“Well, it is important…” I began.

“Rubbish!” he exclaimed. “Mere plumbing, when all is said and done. Why is it important?”

Robin Hobb, Assassin’s Quest

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