10-TABITHA12

Carolyn sighed. For the most part, April first had been a very unproductive day. She was tired because of the Captain's induced nightmare the night before, followed by the morning 'activities' with Martha. She had given up all hope of getting anything written over an hour-and-a-half ago, and contented herself by getting her files in order . . . something she usually put off doing as long as possible.

Around noon, she heard terrible noises coming from the attic. She expected a downpour, and thunder and lightening from the Captain, but nothing came — not even a mild breeze; nor did Captain Gregg materialize into their . . . HER cabin, and start yelling.

By two o'clock the filing had been completed to Carolyn's satisfaction, and she had even more time to think. What had started as a present and a celebration for Captain Gregg had turned into a mild practical joke war . . . and she hated practical jokes! April Fool's Day in particular! How on earth could everything be set right for everyone concerned? After all, they still had the first of two parties tonight! Martha popped hear head in the door of Carolyn' room.

"Mrs. Muir . . . Were you planning on picking the kids up this afternoon?" Then she added in a whisper. "And getting the last of the party stuff?" Carolyn looked up from her desk.

"Yes, Martha. As a matter of fact, it might take just a little longer to get back here though . . . I have to . . . pick up a few extra things in town, too."

"Fine." Martha responded with a wink. "I have a few things to finish up here, so you won't be delaying me a bit."

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Carolyn picked up Candy and Jonathan from school at two-thirty, sending up a silent prayer of thanks that she had no other children to take home that afternoon. On her way to the 'downtown' area of Schooner Bay, where all the shops and stores were, she sheepishly told her children about what had happened that morning — an abbreviated version of her nightmare, and about the booby-trapping of Captain Gregg's telescope, and the TP-ing of his attic, and not hearing from the Captain . . . so far.

"Gee, Mom!" said Candy. "I think the TP-ing was a cool idea. I didn't even think you knew about that, but molasses? On his chair?"

"Yeah, Mom," chimed in Jonathan, "You know how he feels about the stuff in his wheelhouse . . . and his telescope! Gee. You yell at Candy and me for fighting . . ."

"Yes, I know — " Carolyn replied, "But you didn't wake up on the floor with tar all over your hands! Well, Here's some money . . . I want you two to go into the general store and get three rolls of wrapping paper, tape and ribbon. Meet me down at Deke's Antique Shop when you're finished. In all the excitement I forgot . . . you two have 'gifts' for the Captain, but I still haven't found anything absolutely perfect, and not too expensive for tonight. Considering this morning, I want to find something a little nicer than I was originally planning . . . I need to go by the used clothing store first, though."

"Sure Mom! Hey, this is cool! We can pick out stuff and pay for it ourselves!"

Carolyn watched her brood charge through the doors of the general store, and made her way first to the Goodwill store, then to Deke's Antique Shop.

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Twenty minutes later, Carolyn came out of Deke's, with a happy smile on her face and added a large bulky package to a smaller package already under her arm.

"Hey, Mom! What did you get?" said Jonathan, eyeing the larger package. "It's not another practical joke, is it?"

"No Jonathan. Actually, it's more of a piece offering . . . and the Captain's first birthday present! You'll see what it is tonight . . . when he does. I sure hope he shows up!"

"Well . . ." said Candy, "What's in the little package? Can you tell us that?"

Carolyn blushed beet red. "It's . . . a new pair of pants. I could tell by the noises in the attic he found the molasses earlier today, and it occurred to me this afternoon. I don't think he has another pair!"

The children looked at each other and giggled.

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By the time the Muir's returned home, Martha had everything ready. Scruffy had 'stood guard' the whole afternoon . . . no sign of Captain Gregg.

The children and Carolyn quickly wrapped their presents for the Captain. After an hour of waiting, there was still no response from the Captain, even after Candy, Jonathan and Scruffy had searched the house from top to bottom. As a last resort, Carolyn took the Captain's new pants up to the wheelhouse, which had been divested of all shredded newspaper and toilet paper and laid them across his now-clean desk chair. She went back downstairs and put a record of Irish melodies on the phonograph and they all waited . . . with their fingers crossed.

Suddenly, Captain Gregg materialized in front of the mantle . . . wearing his new pants . . . and a snifter of brandy in his hand.