Hamish set down his empty plate regretfully. “By the way,” he remarked, “I brought along a few little souvenirs I picked up on the way. They’re out in the car.”
“More gifts! Oh, Hamish!”
After the other guests had departed Hamish distributed his presents. There was a vanity case for Aunt Cal whose countenance to date has been innocent of make-up; shell-covered workboxes for Eve and me; a combination pocket knife and can opener for Michael and a huge heart-shaped box of chocolates for Miss Rose.
“Oh, you cruel boy,” Miss Rose cried, “to tempt me so!” She selected a plump one before passing the box.
As Aunt Cal turned to walk with Mr. Templeton to his car Hattie May whispered quite loudly, “I must say, Sandy, that your aunt has changed. Why she’s like a different person almost.”
“Hush!” I warned, “It’s all Circe’s doing! Magic, you know!”
“I guess more likely it’s two living Circes that have done the trick,” said Miss Rose slyly, selecting another chocolate.
“Oh, you mean you and—and Gopher?” Eve inquired mischievously.
Miss Rose giggled. “Fancy me on a fountain! No, it’s a fact, Cal told me so herself, that she’d never have had the gumption to go ahead with everything if it hadn’t been for you girls. She said she wanted Sandra to have a place to come to that she’d feel was a real home.”
“Oh, Miss Rose,” I cried, “did she really say that?”