"The what?" Quick, sharp, not entirely steady.

Elizabeth's mouth forms a momentary 'O,' but she did read enough on the matter to make the required leap.

"The pains," she says, eyes flicking away from Guppy's face. "I haven't kept track."

They last too long and occur too often; that probably isn't helpful, Elizabeth admits silently.

"I'm due another soon, I suppose," she brazens at last.