"Yeah, it means someone who can do a lot of jobs." It was an English phrase that, in retrospect, he supposed he ought to assume not everyone was familiar with, considering their backgrounds were varied in ways that went beyond the normal bounds of the imagination, beyond conventional lines of nationality or race. "You could say I've done a bit of wandering. Mostly I was taught the value of picking up as many skills as you can when you can, so I'm getting to know my way around what needs doing in town."

Any requests she needed filling, he could find a way to do--that was also just plain good business. The Brightwells, by necessity of their trade, had become flexible and chameleon-like in order to keep their monopoly from being confiscated by the Library or undermined by competitors, and Jess supposed he was no different. He was a Brightwell to the bitter end, even when it was up in the air whether other Brightwells welcomed him or not.

"I wouldn't mind having an actual target to shoot at."