"Goodness," Mary says. "I never thought I'd see the day that would be the case. I suppose technically I'm not seeing it, I'm just hearing about it." A lot could happen in 300 years, especially with the rapid advancements that have been happening in the twentieth century.

"Do you believe in God?" she asks. It's maybe a personal question to be asking here like this, while they're standing out in the snow, but it seems like a natural segue.