The dreariness is something that doesn't well suit the youngest of them, everyone knows, and Edmund feels at fault for it. He feels an urge to stand and flip on the wireless- anything for noise he seems to be having trouble getting from his own mouth. He takes a sip from the hot drink (a little too hot still, actually) and takes a second to fan his tongue and resolve to follow the lighter tone.

"Do you remember the Great Snow Dance? In Narnia?" Ed almost thought himself stupid for asking Lucy this question.