According to Good Reads, the actual quote is:

“Joyful friends, mostly loyal, they hadn’t abandoned their protector before the gathering storm; and despite the threatening sky, despite the shuddering earth, they remained, smiling, considerate, and as devoted to misfortune as they had been to prosperity.”

But since the cast are reading an abridged third-grade-appropriate version, I tweaked the phrasing.

Also, it doesn’t come up much, but Selkie has an easier time speaking in not-plurals when she’s quoting or reading something. Different parts of the brain.

Today's edition of the Secret Commentary is empty, because Dave failed to come up with something for it.