Page 14 (1/2)

"No, you didn’t"

"I didn’t? Well, you should take that as fact with anything you ask n to execution, are intended to be co about with other people’s inevitably has untidy consequences"

"Noted Very well I forgive you, Bumbersnoot" The metal creature looked neither chastised by the reprimand nor excited by the reprieve In the end, so

Vieve said, "Before you go, could I give you a present for e time to see one another secretly over the holidays It’s best if we don’t remind people we are related Gaspar Lefoux is supposed to be an estranged nephew"

She produced a massive box froh for several Bumbersnoots to fit inside

"Uet around the ship carrying that?

"I put on straps, see, here and here? You can wear it across your back like a lute Bulad that at least it didn’t weigh rin, Vieve unstrapped the gift, which proved to be some kind of hatbox, and popped off the lid Inside was, not unexpectedly, a hat

Now, it ought to be pointed out, at this juncture, that the lighting wasn’t good behind the Nib and Crinkle, aoat path Thewas low And yet there was no doubt about its appearance

"Vieve, that is an inordinately ugly hat" Sophronia would call Professor Lefoux s, and not a one of them was leader of fashion, but her taste certainly wasn’t that bad

Vieve seemed to know her own aunt less well than Sophronia "Isn’t it hideous? Do you think she’ll like it?"

Sophronia quirked an eyebrow

"Oh Of course Only see what it does" Vieve carefully removed the hat froht-blue satin, instead of straw The wide brilass, in a si dots were in the formation of several popular constellations The very top of the hat’s croas painted yellow, obviously indicating the sun, with rays extending down over the side toward the brim This alone would have made it one of the most curious hats that Sophronia had ever seen, but that was merely the foundation Vieve had constructed a miniature winch device, like those e near one ear, that ound up and released caused seven planets to orbit about the hat These were on long wires of different lengths, anchored to rails at the bri the solar syste to the latest scientific evidence: Venus being pale blue because of all the turquoise deposits, the Earth green for the lush landscapes, Jupiter orange for its iron-rich sands, and so forth There was a dangling feather ball off the back on a particularly long wire--a coht blue were a few sporadic slowed "Recent paest there’s a kind of cosht e to modern astronomical theory"

Sophronia was impressed with the artistry and the execution, if not with the resulting style state eyes clearly indicated an expectation of so she could think of without lying "It’s very well made"

"Do you think o with it?" Sophronia was cautious

Vieve laughed "Crikey, no I do know soear No, no I don’t expect her to wear the wretched thing! It’s a bit of a family joke"

Sophronia relaxed "Oh, well, in that case, I think it’s wonderful"

Vieve’s dimples became more pronounced She resettled the solar hat into its box and took great pains when strapping it to Sophronia’s back