[Primrose Bolger]

Willi comes back for a visit

‘Wasn’t that grand?’ piped Willi as he stood at Miz Bracegirdle’s elbow. She startled a bit at the sound of his voice. She had been listening to the song just sung for Hearpwine and he’d come up quietly behind her. His eyes were shining at the thought of Red Branch Knights and conjuring images of them in his mind. Tall, tall they would be; as tall as his Da . . . with great swords . . . or maybe sharp spears . . .

He shifted one of the chairs away from the table and climbed up on it. Ginger standing a little ways away saw him and fetched a cup for him and a small pitcher of cold cider for the table. ‘You be good now,’ she whispered to him as she bent to fill his cup. ‘And mind your manners.’ He nodded solemnly, taking a big drink of the sweet, cold liquid. ‘Boy, that’s good,’ he declared setting his cup firmly on the table.

Willi stood up on his chair and hefted the small pitcher in his hands. ‘Would you like some, Miz Braceirdle?’ he asked, teetering dangerously on the edge of his seat.