"Or it could have a special meaning to the author," said the middle-aged lady. "Maybe it's a reference to something that only he and his own mate understand, like a secret code or intimate joke or something."

"Then it's not written to be read by anyone but them."

"Well sure it is; you just make up your own meaning for it."

"Yeah, like Holy Crap or something."

"Jesus, doesn't that color the whole story brown for you?"

"Yeah. Except for the Augusts. They're yellow."