The sun peeked through the silver clouds with spectacular brilliance illuminating the beautiful, golden shore. A breath of wind intermingled in the warm summer air, tossing the clear waters about playfully, sculpting sapphire waves that peaked, curled, and then ended in a fountain of pure, white foam. Between the sky and the sea, bobbing gently up and down with each movement of the ocean, was the figure of a grand ship. From it rose the cries of its proud crew, floating high into the blue cascade above as the vessel slowly released its passengers to the dock which awaited them below, bidding them farewell with an air of calm victory.
A tall, steady shadow fell upon the ground, followed by one more small and delicate, which wobbled as it rested once again on solid land. "Careful, my dear. You'll find it difficult to walk."
Flora clutched the Professor's arm as she found her balance. "I think I'm a little dizzy," she said, her voice trembling weakly.
"It's alright, Flora. You'll be used to-"
"Professor! Flora!" A small voice broke through the hum of chatter, and a small boy rushed from the crowd, throwing his arms around Professor's waist.
"Luke!" Flora squealed with joy. He released the Professor and, wiping away a small tear from the corner of his eye, gave Flora a brotherly hug.
"I missed you both so much," he said, his voice quivering a little.
"Luke, my boy," Professor smiled, "it seems as though you've grown since our last meeting."
A grin spread across the boy's face as he stood proudly. "Well, Professor, it has been quite a long time."
"Indeed."
For a moment, the two stood, looking silently into each other's eyes.
"But I'm glad you're here now," Luke said at last.
"As am I," the Professor replied. With that, Luke shuffled his friends away to the waiting automobile, lifting their luggage into the trunk in a clumsily polite way, chatting all the while about how happy he was to see them again, yet finding his feelings to be incommunicable by means of words. A tall, dark-haired man stepped out of the front seat to assist the boy in his efforts.
"Oh," Luke stopped mid-sentence. "Where are my manners? Professor, this is Westley, the family butler. Westley, this is Professor."
"How do you do, Mr. Westley?"
"Please sir," the butler said, nodding cordially, "there is no need for formality. I must say what a great honor it is to meet you. I've heard so very much about you."
"Thank you, Mr. Westley. The pleasure is all mine, I'm sure."
After the bags had all been loaded and all necessary greetings taken care of, they began the pleasant journey to Skyborough, Maine. The road was smooth and quiet, winding through the shops and vendors of the town in which they had arrived, then opening up into a picturesque scene with the cow-dotted fields to the left, the sun-glazed shore to the right, and the overflowing sensation of peace and simplicity that tied together the whole affair. The next half-hour flew by as they talked, surrounded by the beautiful environment.
At last, a small cluster of buildings speckled the horizon, growing larger and larger until it became a quaint seaside village. "Professor, Flora, welcome to Skyborough."