Orphanhood is common indeed, and it would make Colin very uncomfortable indeed if he was pressed about it. The use of the past tense is not an invitation to inquire. Neither his her question of his literacy any manner of comment on his intelligence--he couldn't read until the age of eleven, and only learned because the Circle forced him.

"Si, Madama," he says, and then he lies: "Growing up I had a neighbor teach me. Why?"