The Mysterious Howling: Chapters 10–12

Too much shopping leads to an argument about thespians.

The aroma of baking breads and roasting meats mingled in the air with the scent of the waxes and oils used to polish the woodwork, and the fresh, outdoorsy smell of the pine wreaths and garlands that festooned every available surface.

“Colder and louder blew the wind,
A gale from the Northeast,
The snow fell hissing in the brine,
And the billows frothed like yeast.”

“Arf!” Cass jumped excitedly at the prospect, but Penelope threw her a reproving look.
“Words are better than barks, Cassiopeia,” she reminded.

I have a frightfully long list of things to buy. Of course I could send Mrs. Clarke, but then I thought—no, it would be simply too much fun to go shopping! But I can’t abide going alone.

She had been working very diligently with the children on good manners, socially useful phrases and appropriate party conversation topics; perhaps this expedition could serve as a valuable rehearsal.

“Please, Lumawoo?” Alexander tugged at her sleeve.
“Please please, Lumawoo?” Beowulf added fervently.

Lady Constance chatted incessantly about all that she planned to buy.

“And I must also keep my eye out for a very special cadeau,” she said gaily, “for I have not yet found the perfect gift for my Fredrick. When I am done shopping, I intend to surprise him for an impromptu lunch! Won’t he be pleased?”

After some internal debate, she decided she ought to get something for Lady Constance, too. It might be seen as presumptuous, but on the other hand, who didn’t like presents?

Rather than tempt them to run off, the hustle and bustle of the streets made the children cling to Penelope’s skirts, and they were visibly relieved when they entered the relative calm of the milliner’s shop.

Once there, the boys posed comically in their new sailor hats and thanked Lady Constance profusely by using the socially useful phrases Penelope had taught them, such as “Most appreciated!” and “I offer you my humble gratitude.”

“Would you mind terribly, Miss Lumley? I couldn’t possibly arrive at the tearoom carrying so many boxes and bags. Fredrick will accuse me of squandering the Ashton family fortune in a single afternoon, and besides, my poor fingers are beginning to ache!”—Penelope was glad to be left to her own devices at last.

“Mayhem?” Alexander tentatively asked. “Mayhem yes?”

Gazing up at her from the side walk was a tiny, sad-eyed Yorkshire terrier. It wore a large, garishly jewel-studded collar.

“Change the day. Reschedule. Have it the following week. That’s not such a catastrophe, what? Gives you more time to fuss over the house, too—all your hanging wreaths and gilt-edged baubles and whatever else you have planned.”

Perhaps Penelope imagined it, but it seemed to her that a dark look briefly shadowed the face of the enigmatic old coachman. It was the kind of tense, held-breath expression designed to conceal some strong emotion, like anger, or revulsion, or even fear.

“Capital!” Beowulf replied, sounding uncannily like Lord Fredrick.

At the sight of the three of them nipping and rolling on the carpet, exhorting each other with socially useful phrases such as “Pass the salt, please!” and “May I take your umbrella?” Penelope realized she had gone too far.

Their romp outdoors was wonderfully invigorating.

“No boots in the house!” Alexander said proudly, kicking off his snow-encrusted galoshes. His siblings quickly followed suit.

Playing in the snow even for a short while makes most children ravenously hungry.

“What is it? Let me see!” Penelope was excited in spite herself. But the boys looked ashen.

In the changeable light of the fire Lady Constance’s face seemed an inscrutable, doll-like mask, with half-smiling lips painted on and expressionless glass eyes—all at once Penelope thought the lady bore an uncomfortable resemblance to the animals in Lord Fredrick’s study.

Slowly Cassiopeia let her lips unfurl to their usual position, but there was a hard and unrepentant look in her eye.

Slowly Cassiopeia let her lips unfurl to their usual position, but there was a hard and unrepentant look in her eye.

The boys looked contrite as well, although they had done nothing wrong.

Cassiopeia sat by the window, idly flicking the beads on the abacus up and down.

After a while they acted out their favorite scenes from the story. It was all very soothing, and as soon as the fog of worry dissipated, everyone’s normal hearty breakfast appetites returned, including Penelope’s.

When Alexander understood that his Latin book was a primer, he straightaway pretended to be “Miss Lumawoo” teaching Latin to his siblings, and there was much laughter.

As the children played, Penelope retreated to the back nursery and laid out all their fine new clothes, which had been delivered the previous day and were now hanging in the closets under covers of white muslin.

The moon was full and so bright that the trees cast long blue shadows along the ground; the unearthly glow glittered like diamond dust on the freshly fallen snow.

Hyperbole is usually harmless, but in some cases it has been known to precipitate unnecessary wars as well as a painful gaseous condition called stock market bubbles.

The dress she wore was a voluminous melange of floral patterns that did much to accentuate the impressive girth of the wearer.

The dress she wore was a voluminous melange of floral patterns that did much to accentuate the impressive girth of the wearer.

The dress she wore was a voluminous melange of floral patterns that did much to accentuate the impressive girth of the wearer.

Chagrined by his minor muddle, Beowulf cast a nervous glance toward Penelope, who nodded reassuringly.

Her gown was of the purest white, with a lace overlay that floated around her like mist, nearly invisible except for where it was touched here and there with iridescent beads that glittered as she walked.

“I must say, life at Ashton Place has me completely spoiled. From the first day it has been a dream come true, and all thanks to my darling Fredrick. And I am sure that was the best dinner I have ever eaten in my life! Now I will have no appetite for normal everyday meals ever again. Next time you see me, I will have wasted away to skin and bones—oh, look who is lurking here among the foliage! It is the legendary, world-famous Incorrigibles and their obscure governess.”

But his walk had an energetic, feline spring, and there was a disarming, self-mocking lilt to his voice.