"I ain't never been to school." Eponine chuckles snidely. "Guess that'd make me the cleverer then, if I can read without none of that schooling. I always fancied being a student though, tramping about in a long coat and scarf with my books under my arms and my fingers all black with the ink. I used to watch 'em, but my folk weren't so keen on that. Waste of time and all... and I suppose it were."

She glances from the book to Martin and straight back to the book. "Why? What d'you want for it? Sweets? Or money? Or... but you don't look the sort for that. Money mayhaps? All the fancy students have money to pay their tutors."