“You remember, Mother. He’s the music student I told you about. Studies the violin. He lives with his uncle who owns the Swiss Shop. I tried to tell you—” Judy said, almost in tears.
“That’s all right. Only I wish you wouldn’t be so impulsive. However, since you’ve asked him,” her mother added with a smile, “there’s nothing more to be said.”
“I’ll bring in the dessert,” Judy volunteered, happy to escape any further discussion.
“I suppose there’s no harm in having him, especially as Judy has already done the inviting. We’ll have the uncle too,” Mrs. Lurie added as an afterthought. “It might be interesting to meet a native Aspenite.”
Judy, standing at the kitchen door, listened breathlessly to this exchange.
She entered immediately carrying the bowl of stewed peaches. “Oh you don’t have to invite the uncle,” she said, forgetting she was not supposed to have been within earshot.
“May as well be hung for a sheep as a fowl,” her father said enigmatically. “Your mother is asking them both.”
“Karl will be glad. He didn’t want to leave his uncle before dinner,” Judy said, suddenly convinced she had the most understanding parents in the world.
On the night of the concert the guests arrived in good time. Karl seemed completely overshadowed by his large, ruddy-faced relative. After the uneasy introductions, Uncle Yahn singled out Judy and handed her a prettily wrapped parcel.
“This is for you, a little present.”