"Very good," Courfeyrac says, appraising Gary's clever strategy. At a distance, the snowmen will surely fool anyone approaching them at night and give the inhabitants of the barricade ample time to mount a defense should they be attacked in the night. "But it is important too that we get a proper amount of sleep. In the morning, we can gather food and supplies, but tonight we shall rest up. It is vital."

When he speaks, it is all experience which bleeds through. Indeed, he knows full well what it means to be cooped up in a barricade, unable to sleep and sick from hunger and fear. Tonight, at least, he thinks they will be safe.