She hadn't more than reached the center of the room when Coal and Ember dashed past her.
"Why didn't you tell me?" said Hortense reproachfully to the bronze image of Buddha seated placidly on his pedestal. The image didn't deign to reply.
"I wish I could make him talk," said Hortense aloud.
Somebody snickered in the corner.
"Sounds like Lowboy," said Hortense.
Lowboy started to run for the door but collided with a chair.
"I've scratched myself," said Lowboy.
Hortense did not wait to console him. Instead, she ran to the newel post.
"One, two, three for Lowboy!" she called. "Lowboy's It. All-y all-y out's in free."
Malay Kris crawled out from behind the clock, and the others appeared one by one.