Clementine
For two whole weeks, Great Aunt Clementine sat in silence.
This is Angelica looking out of the window. She was normally such a happy child, but one day...
"Oh, my!" she exclaimed. "Great Aunt Clementine has come to stay!"
"Great Aunt Clementine is so strange!" she gasped. "Great Aunt Clementine never says a word. In fact, Great Aunt Clementine is not really very friendly!"
Great Aunt Clementine ate in silence
Great Aunt Clementine walked in silence.
For days after that, Angelica and Great Aunt Clementine painted and stuck, sewed, cut and lit.
Then, on Saturday, they went out.
"Goodness, where are they off to now?" asked Angelica's father.
"Out for the day", said Angelica's mother.
At ten o' clock there was a knock at the door.
"Two traveling puppeteers at your service!" said the Smaller Traveling Puppeteer.
"We have a play for you!" announced the Larger Traveling Puppeteer. "No payment, please, except the honour of performing for such an illustrious audience."
"but you have no audience", said Angelica's mother.
The butler was summoned to watch, as were the housekeeper, the gardener and the scullery maid.
"But wait!" interrupted Angelica's father. "Angelica!" he called. "Great Aunt Clementine!"
"Oh, silly me, I have just remembered... they went out, didn't they?"
"What a shame!" said Angelica's mother. "Angelica would so enjoy it."
"We cannot wait for little girls," exclaimed the Smaller Traveling Puppeteer. "Let the play commence!"
And, oh, what a play! There were pirates and queens, there were kings and ladies. There were ships and trumpets and little green mermaids.
"Capital!" cried Angelica's mother when it was all over.
"Yes, capital," agreed Angelica's father. "What a shame Angelica missed it."
"Farewell!" said the Two Traveling Puppeteers.
"Oh, Angelica," said her mother that evening. "You missed the most wonderful show. There were pirates and queens, there were kings and ladies. There were ships and trumpets and little green mermaids".
"Never mind," said Angelica, "perhaps they will call again." Great Aunt Clementine said nothing. She just got up from the table and went to her room.
"How strange!" exclaimed Angelica's father. "Great Aunt Clementine has a twitch in her eye, the kind that almost looks like a wink."
"Yes," said Angelica, "it is indeed the kind of twitch that almost looks like a wink. I think I will go up and make sure that she is alright."
After all, thought Angelica, Great Aunt Clementine's fairy wings could really do with some more glitter.
The next day, Great Aunt Clementine and Angelica went shopping.
"Where are they off to?" said Angelica's father.
"I have no idea!" said Angelica's mother.
"OF COURSE!" said Angelica, giving Great Aunt Clementine a great big hug.
"Oh, yes!" exclaimed Angelica. Great Aunt Clementine smiled. Angelica had never seen her smile before.
"And do you like puppets?" asked Great Aunt Clementine, hesitantly.
"I LOVE puppets!" said Angelica. "In fact, I think I have an idea."
"Does it involve painting?" said Great Aunt Clementine.
"Painting indeed," said Angelica.
"Cutting out?"
"Yes, cutting out, Great Aunt Clementine."
"Sewing, sticking and coloured lights?"
"The very same, Great Aunt Clementine."
"Could it involve...me?" asked Great Aunt Clementine.
Great Aunt Clementine sat on the bed and stared at the old doll.
For a very long time.
"Well," said Great Aunt Clementine to the doll, "I always wondered what happened to you." Great Aunt Clementine made her dance. "I presume she still loves to dance?"
and, when she had finished, she would go up to her room. Alone.
One day, Great Aunt Clementine walked into Angelica's room.
"Your doll!" said Great Aunt Clementine.
"My doll?" asked Angelica.
"Yes, your doll!" Great Aunt Clementine reached out. "Please!"
