"Now like a storm or prairie fire, swarming

Steadily after Hektor, son of Priram

The Trojans roared as one man..."

"Katrina..."

"On the verge,

They thought of capturing the Akaian ships

And dealing death to the best men around them

But now from the deep water..."

"Katrina!"

Katrina jumped a little bit as she looked up and beheld her father's impatient expression. It took an effort not to slam the book down. "Yes, father?" It was uncanny the knack her beloved patriarch had for interrupting at the most exiting bits of stories.

"Reading again, are you?" He huffed.

"Yes, father." Katrina held her tongue against the impertinent question, "Did you barge in on my reading just to ask me that?"

"Well you can stop for a while. The cook has prepared a picnic lunch as it's such a lovely day and some of the boys from the village are standing by to help us set up. I thought you could go on ahead with them and pick out a good spot."

"Will Mr. Bones be among them?" Katrina asked warily.

"I'm afraid not. He's off on a hunting party and won't be back till this afternoon at the earliest."

"Oh that's alright then. I'll go." Katrina got up from her chair, placed a pretty bonnet on her golden head and took up a pink parasol. The other boys were a bit boring compared to Homer but she could tolerate them without their ringleader.

"All right?" Her father asked in obvious confusion. "I thought you two were courting. He asked my permission and I granted it."

"He didn't ask mine, father." Katrina replied crisply. "And even if he did, he would not get it."

"Katrina..." Her father spoke under his breath as she kissed him fondly on the cheek and skipped lightly out the door.