"I have never paid attention to it." The Mother is studying the stick figure again, working to copy it. Her grip on the pencil is obviously awkward and far too hard. The pencil moves . . . the circle that it produces is wobbly -- the work of someone who has not ever developed the hand-eye coordination to write.

The corners of the Mother's mouth are tight with dissatisfaction.

"But it seems, perhaps, one of the better creations of humanity."

You know, if she can actually manage to do it herself. Otherwise she may yet change her mind.