return item.Slice(idx[0], idx[1]), nil
	}
	// given item[i:j:k], make sure i <= j <= k.
	if idx[1] > idx[2] {
		return reflect.Value{}, fmt.Errorf("invalid slice index: %d > %d", idx[1], idx[2])
	}
	return item.Slice3(idx[0], idx[1], idx[2]), nil
}

// Length

// length returns the length of the item, with an error if it has no defined length.
func length(item reflect.Value) (int, error) {
	item, isNil := indirect(item)