Chapter 148: A Trio of Surprises
Godfrey happily held the door open for a jubilant Nathan and Elizabeth.
The butler noticed their utter delight but decided it was best not to say anything.
With their great news, and so far, no untoward events with Elizabeth's lunch, life was fabulous, indeed for Nathan and Elizabeth!
"Welcome home! Ma'am, your Sisters, are waiting for you in the Garden Sitting Room. And Sir, Lord Townsend is waiting for you at the Stables, hoping you'll join him for a ride."
"Elizabeth?"
"Go change, I can tell you're dying to get back on a horse from yesterday! I'll come change too. Then maybe later, Viola and I will come to watch!"
"Sounds perfect! Who knows, I might even get Blackie to let me ride him!"
She reached up to kiss her husband, taking his hand and leading him down the long hallway, then up the grand staircase.
"Just be careful, Nathan! Blackie is not a friendly horse by any means. Father says he can be quite dangerous."
"Of course, he's friendly! He just hasn't found his mate yet! And I intend to be just that!"
Nathan was still a bit skeptical about leaving his wife, but he wanted to get on a horse so badly that he couldn't stand not doing so.
"Daddy!" called Jack from the top of the staircase.
"Hold it, Son, right there! Let me come to you!" warned Nathan midway on the stairs, holding out his hand to Little Jack.
"Thank you, Sir! This little Tyke slipped right out of my hands!" exclaimed an out-of-breath governess.
"That's okay, Bertie! I've got him now!"
"Jack, you can't run away from Miss Bertie like that! That's not nice!" explained Elizabeth. "You have to do what Miss Bertie asks just like you do for Miss Laura!"
"Yes, Mama!" and out went that pouty lip.
"What are you up to, Jack?" asked Nathan.
"I made petty pitcher!"
"And what a lovely picture it is! This is Allie, and this is Mama, right?"
"And this is Daddy!"
"And this is you! I love it, Son! Very beautiful! We'll have to save this and hang it up in our kitchen when we get home!"
"Kitten now?"
"Miss Bertie? Do you think Cook would be okay with that? At home, see, we normally hang our paintings on the Icebox!" explained Nathan, as even before their marriage, that had been the drill.
"Come, Master Jack. Let's go talk to Cook!" she winked, and Jack took her hand and trotted off down the stairs, happy as a clam.
"You're so good with him, Nathan!"
"No better than you!"
"That's not true! There's something about you men understanding each other. I was losing ground fast alone, and you know it!"
They had just reached their bedroom when Nathan pulled his wife inside and shut the door.
"Not true at all. Who does he come to when he falls and when he gets a booboo? His Mama, that's who! We just have different roles, Babe, serving different purposes at different times."
"Why do you always make me feel better?"
"Because it's my job," he laughed, kissing her passionately against their door.
The two got their clothes out of the huge French Wardrobes in their room, then refreshed themselves by washing their faces and brushing their teeth.
Elizabeth even sprayed on perfume once again.
"My, you look handsome," she mused, pushing that wayward hair lock of his back where it belonged.
"Could that be because I can't find my old Riding Jacket?"
"Would you believe I don't know?" she asked tentatively.
"No, I would not. Lisbeth, I had that thing tucked away and hidden, but it's not where I left it!"
"I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Elizabeth Grant, did you move my old Jacket?"
"I might have!"
"Where?"
"I'm not sure I remember!"
"You'd better remember quick," he chuckled. "Lisbeth, I can't go riding without that Jacket!"
"Are you serious?"
"Dead-serious. Some things are meant to stay the same. And that worn-out jacket is a part of me! You get me, you get the jacket! I'm sorry, but that's just the way it is."
"But I don't like it! The jacket that is. Why can't I buy you an even better brand new one? One that will make you look even more handsome!"
"Because a new one won't be as comfortable as this one. It takes years to break one in to make it perfect for riding. Please," he begged.
She looked unrepentant and seemed to be refusing to divulge any information whatsoever.
"Also, there's another thing. What's the one thing besides your family photos that you have to remind you of your childhood home in Hope Valley?"
"That huge silver trophy-like bowl that Mother sent me when I was homesick!"
"Exactly! And I've never once complained about it, even though it's quite fancy. Lisbeth, I wasn't raised with fancy things. But I have the jacket that I've worn since I was fifteen. When I put it on, it takes me back to a time when I had to be the man of the house, and I did it. I managed, and I managed in that jacket. That jacket reminds me of home and when I grew from a young boy into a man, taking care of all the horses, not to mention my mother and sister. All while I was still going to school and facing the embarrassment of my father being in prison. It reminds me of getting through tough times and still making the best of it. When I put that jacket on, I feel at home, and I know I can do anything!"
"Why didn't you tell me? I'm so sorry, Nathan. So very sorry! I didn't know."
She walked to the dresser, her bottom drawer, and rifling through a stack of her lingerie, she took out the jacket.
"Just so you know, all my gowns now smell like a horse!"
He couldn't resist a chuckle.
"Serves you right!"
Then he came up behind her and lifted her hair up so he could kiss her neck.
"Thank you, Love…"
Yes, convincing his wife had taken quite some time and with a lot more words than he wanted to use, but neither minded the cajoling.
They had both somehow learned more about each other, very quickly ending up back in their bed, laughing together about it all, when they suddenly realized that people were waiting for them both.
They had finished sharing their love with each other when suddenly both jumped out of bed.
"What are you doing, Love?" asked a puzzled Elizabeth.
"Straightening the bedclothes so the maid won't see!"
"Nathan, this is our bedroom, we're married, and this is part of what married couples do," she blushed.
"In the middle of the day?"
She gave him a look as if they hadn't done that very thing many times before mid-afternoon. Sans maid, yes. But still!
"This is our bedroom, for now, Husband. Besides, Mandy will take care of everything. She'll take one look at your work and insist it isn't done right, then she'll do it all over again her way!"
He gave up and sat back down on the bed to finish dressing.
"Am I ever going to get you back to Hope Valley with all this fancy competition? Maids and such?"
She thought about that and then came and sat on his lap as he was trying to put on his riding boots, which were instantly shoved to the side.
"In a heartbeat!" and she kissed him to prove it, then buttoned his shirt.
"Don't forget that promise, Lisbeth."
"How could I? Hope Valley is our home, Darling!"
"Yes, it is. Don't tell him, but I miss Bill already," sighed Nathan heavily.
Elizabeth laughed.
"You'd better call him before he comes looking for us…"
"Nathan! I had almost given up!"
"Sorry, Anthony, we got waylaid."
"That look on your face says it wasn't a bad thing."
"No, can't say that it was," grinned Nathan.
"Newlyweds!" teased Anthony.
"Hey, you once were one too. And not so long ago."
"Yes, but we British aren't quite such open books as you and Elizabeth are."
"What does that mean?"
"Anyone can take one look at either of you and know you're head over heels in love!"
"I just love her, Anthony, with all my heart."
"And I suppose I love Viola with all my heart. But she's so different than her sisters. More reserved, more British than we British, if you want the truth."
"Why not just be yourself with her, and maybe she'll start to be herself with you?"
"You know, old Chap, you're a deep thinker. Meager with words, but not thoughts. And for that, I'm most grateful."
"Hmm, I don't think I've ever been told that before. Again, Anthony, sorry I'm late."
"It's okay. I was doing some work with the carriage horses. I think I'll take out old Clyde again for our ride!"
"He's a good horse. I'm determined to work with Blackie. What kind of mood is he in today?"
"You don't want to know. He was disturbing the other horses while grazing, so Javier had to bring him back in. How about this golden Palamino? She's a dream!"
"Yes, she is, but something is drawing me to Blackie."
Nathan walked on to the stall where the huge black horse was creating quite a ruckus.
"You having a bad day, Blackie?"
The horse stopped his motion and listened. He recognized that voice. All he really wanted to do was go for a long ride, but why did everyone always pass him up?
"Hey, Blackie! Want to go for a ride? If so, we have to calm down a bit," and Nathan reached into his pocket for one of the apples he had stolen from the kitchen, leaving a note for Cook.
He happened to know from yesterday that apples were Blackie's favorite, and he had brought two, just in case they were needed
But by the way things looked, he maybe should have brought a third!
"Nathan, I think you're pushing it. I wouldn't touch that horse with a ten-foot pole!"
Nathan ignored Anthony and kept talking to Blackie in his low, calm voice while petting his neck the entire time.
"Anthony, do you mind lapping around the ring a few times, so I can walk Blackie?"
"If you insist. I still think he's not ready! And you're a fool to risk life and limb. I'm not doing that for any horse!"
"All horses need love, Anthony, even Blackie."
"Hmph," snorted Lord Townsend as he led his horse out of the Stables.
"Talk to me, Blackie. What's wrong?"
Nathan started to bridle Blackie, but he balked, and although Nathan could have used the cross-ties, he intuitively knew that wasn't what Blackie need.
He needed to be trusted, and although Nathan usually saddled his horses first, Blackie was resistant to being saddled.
He had learned that from just one afternoon, so today, he was trying bridle first.
It took three tries when finally, the horse calmed and allowed Nathan to bridle him, and that took Nathan continuing to talk very gently to the horse the entire time…
"Sorry, I'm late! Where's Allie," asked Elizabeth.
"She has gone to tour the Children's Ward at the hospital with Mother, Madelyne, and Arabella. Don't worry, they won't let the girls in if anyone's contagious," explained Julie when she noticed her sister's wide eyes.
"Thank goodness for that!"
"My, you look awfully happy, Sister," mused Viola.
"I am. I'm deliriously happy, Viola! But it hasn't always been this way."
"I know, and I don't begrudge you one moment of happiness now. I just wish you could share some of it! Come, play Gin Rummy." (*120)
It was a relatively new game, founded in 1906 by an exclusive club member in New York City, and it was now all the rage in the larger cities of both Canada and America, especially among high society.
Viola planned to take the game back to her home in England.
"You two may not know it, but there's happiness out there for everyone," noted Elizabeth.
"So says the happiest of the three sisters," retorted Julie sarcastically.
Viola was the dealer, and she dealt out seven cards one at a time, beginning with Julie, who was sitting on her left.
"The purpose of the game, in case you don't know, Elizabeth, is each player tries to form matched sets consisting of groups of three or four of a kind, or sequences of three or more cards of the same suit."
"No, I don't know, Viola. I'll admit this is my first time playing. We don't actually have a lot of time in Hope Valley to play cards, but I'm a fast study," assured Elizabeth, listening intently.
"Your top card is turned face-up, and that becomes your upcard. It's placed next to the stockpile to start the discard pile," explained Julie. "Now, since I'm sitting next to Viola's left, I get to either draw the top card of the stockpile or take the top card of the discard pile and add it to my hand, which is exactly what I'm going to do by choosing the top card from the discard pile."
"She could also have laid down on the table face up any 'meld' or matched set, had she had one. If the player doesn't wish to lay down a meld, he discards one card, face-up, onto the discard pile. But if the player has drawn from the discard pile, he may not discard the same card on that turn," continued Viola.
"Ok, wait, let me think a minute."
"Got it, Lizzie?" asked Julie.
"Yes, Julie, I've got it, Jewels!"
"You two stop that and concentrate," insisted their eldest sister.
"That's just because you don't want us to call you Violet Poo," laughed Julie.
"Please, no. Can't we have some degree of dignity?" insisted Viola. "My name is not Violet, and most certainly not Poo."
"Chill, Viola, it was just a childhood thing. Who knows, someday there might be a famous Poo Bear!" laughed Elizabeth, and Julie joined in.
"Sure, like that's going to happen!" smirked Viola. "Can we please turn our attention back to our game?"
Little did the Sisters know that Winnie-the-Pooh, also known as Pooh Bear and Pooh, would soon be brought to life in the year 1926 by the English writer A. , and illustrator E.H. Shepard and become beloved and famous throughout the world. (*121)
"Yes, we can. But you know something, Viola? It's just the three of us, and we knew you before you became this famous Lady, so can you just stuff the pomposity for one afternoon? Please?" begged Elizabeth.
"Well, I never. Leave it to the crudest sister to give orders on pomposity!"
"Wait a minute. I call a truce. Apologize, Elizabeth and play your hand," ordered Julie.
"I'm sorry, Viola, but can you just relax for one afternoon? This is not Court!"
"That's exactly what I'm trying to do if you would just let me! And no, Elizabeth, this is not anything close to Court. Thank goodness!"
"Sorry! Okay, how do I win?" grinned Elizabeth.
"Ha! There is something called "Laying Off," where a player may add one or more from their hand to any matched set already shown on the table. So, if threes are showing, they may add the fourth three, like if a 10, 9, 8 are showing they may add a Jack or Queen, Jack, 7, or 7, 6," explained Viola
"Then when a player gets rid of all their cards, they win the game!" revealed Julie excitedly.
"Or if all the remaining cards are matched, the player may lay them down without discarding on their last turn, which also ends the game with no further play," interjected Viola.
"What if the stock has all been drawn and no player has gone out? That could happen," insisted Elizabeth.
"If the last stock card has been drawn and no player has gone out, the next player, in turn, may either take the top of the discard pile or they may turn the discard pile over to form a new stockpile, but they can't shuffle it! Then they draw the top card, and we keep playing as before," further explained Julie.
Elizabeth was feeling lucky and going in for the win.
"Okay, Sisters! Let's play…"
Nathan picked up the saddle and brought it around so Blackie could see.
"I know it's heavy, but you have to wear it so I can ride you. And you want to ride, Blackie, I know it!"
Blackie snorted as if he understood, although none too happy about it, and as Nathan gently fitted the saddle on the horse, he was amazed that Blackie stood perfectly still during the entire process.
"Good Boy, Blackie! That was perfect. Now, we're going to walk through the Stables and out into the ring. Are you ready, Boy?"
Nathan walked the giant horse through the Stables, then into the training ring.
There he led the horse around the ring, very slowly at first, increasing speed with each round, until suddenly it was hard for Nathan to keep up with the horse.
"You're ready to ride, aren't you, Blackie?"
The horse neighed in agreement, and Nathan slowed him down to walk him outside the ring.
Once there, Anthony watched as Nathan mounted Blackie in one fell swoop, and he was amazed at how horse and rider looked as though they were one.
Nathan reached down and nuzzled Blackie's neck.
"Now, Blackie, we're going to start slow. But if you do good, I'll let you really fly after, I promise."
As the horse had started out walking, Nathan eased Blackie into a solid trot, but he could tell the horse wanted more.
Needed more.
Soon, he allowed the trot to turn into a canter/lope, but it wasn't long until the horse needed more, and Nathan knew it, bringing Blackie into a fast gallop before either realized it.
This horse was clearly a thoroughbred, born to race.
Nathan let him fully gallop through the meadow, with the horse leading him down to the water's edge.
When Nathan dismounted Blackie, the horse nuzzled him.
"I think we just might be soulmates, Blackie. That was a great run! Now for some water."
He led Blackie to the water's edge in the safest spot he could find, and he marveled as this great specimen of a horse drank and drank.
But it wasn't long till Blackie became antsy to gallop again.
He sidled up to Nathan as though the horse was telling him to mount, so they could run again.
And together, run like the wind, they did.
Anthony had returned home and was at the gate waiting with Archie and William.
All three were stunned, and Archie was an excellent horseman, but even he had found it difficult to relate to Blackie, although he had fared better than the others.
The three men watched as Nathan brought Blackie in, and it was a sight to see!
"I think you've got a great racehorse here, Father!" called Nathan.
Willam and Archie were both beaming as they made their way through the gate to meet Nathan and Blackie.
Nathan dismounted and held onto Blackie so he wouldn't be scared by the others.
But after his outing with Nathan and with the Chief Inspector still by his side, the horse allowed the others to pet him, standing tall.
"Don't tell Newton because he will always be number one, but Blackie is a close second!"
But little did these men know, Blackie wasn't about to let another man or woman mount him.
Not ever.
He had chosen Nathan, just as Nathan had chosen him…
"Lizzie, must you win all the games," chided a forlorn Julie, who always played to win.
As did her sister, Viola.
"Julie, she's won fair and square; we'll rally tomorrow! Surely, it will be our turn then!"
"Okay, Viola, you're on, Lizzie!"
"Ladies, it's a date! Let's go see how the men are doing with their horses…"
The Sisters walked out to the Stables just as Nathan was flying across the meadow on top of Blackie.
"Oh, my word, Elizabeth, he looks like a movie star sitting on that horse," exclaimed Julie before she could censor her words.
"That he does," smiled Elizabeth proudly.
"Well, I keep thinking Prince, but if I'm honest, none of the Princes I know are that stunning," added Viola, seriously re-thinking the matter.
"Sisters, if he knew we were talking about him like this, my husband would be mortified."
"Well, a girl can dream, can't she," asked Julie.
All three sisters walked arm in arm out to greet the returned horsemen.
Then Elizabeth broke free and ran to Nathan.
He instantly put his arms around her and kissed her with pride.
"You look wonderful sitting on Blackie! How did you do it, Nathan?"
"He just needed someone to understand him, that's all," explained Nathan humbly.
"What do you mean?" asked Elizabeth.
"It's simple, he wants to run."
"I'll say, but why is my husband the only one brave enough to lead him?"
Nathan blushed.
"I'd better stable him, but Elizabeth, I don't think he's ready for company yet."
Then he lowered his voice.
"And I don't want us to take any chances."
"I know. We won't," she whispered back.
He nodded for her to return to her sisters while he walked Blackie into the Stables.
The others held back with the ladies, and all were pleased to see that Anthony had followed Nathan's lead and kissed Viola, who responded quite remarkably.
She actually seemed pleased and kissed her husband back, seeming to forget the people around her.
"Will you look at that?" whispered Julie. "Monkey see, monkey do!"
"Julie! Hush!" warned a giggling Elizabeth. "Just be happy for them. We will be for you someday..."
As Nathan and Elizabeth dressed for dinner, both were feeling excited but also a little nervous.
"Do you think we should have told the children first?" asked Elizabeth.
"We still could. But I can guarantee the secret is instantly out the moment we do tell them."
"You're right about that! Nathan, will I be able to ride?"
Nathan had a look of horror on his face at the very thought.
"We'll have to remember to ask Dr. Jenkins. But, Lisbeth, I personally don't think it's wise, and I hate saying that as close as you are to Sargent."
"Deep down, I know you're right. Having two is different from having one. And honestly, whatever Dr. Jenkins says, I don't think it's worth the risk."
"I love you! See, you are already putting our children first, and I love you even more for that."
He wrapped her in his arms and tenderly kissed her forehead.
"Are you ready? You look absolutely beautiful!"
"I am, and you look as handsome as ever! The ride did you good, although I would have panicked had I been there at the beginning."
"Maybe better that you weren't," he winked.
And there was that crooked smile again, which always caused her to swoon...
Nathan and Elizabeth entered the Drawing Room holding both children's hands and with an insistent Bertie in tow.
Allie was holding her Mama's hand, and Jack, who insisted on walking, was holding a stooped Daddy's hand.
But suddenly, Jack raised his arms for his Daddy to lift him up, which he quickly did.
"There's the Grant Family!" announced William. "Now, we're all here. Godfrey, you may begin the drinks."
Godfrey tended to the adults, as an under butler served Lemonade to the children.
The ladies were all chattering as the men tended to gather together to talk about their day.
"That Blackie! I've never seen anything like it, Nathan. If you don't mind, I would love for you to continue to work with him."
"My pleasure, Sir! Blackie's a good horse, just misunderstood. He's stronger than the other horses and feels out of place among them. And I'll admit, he does have some major trust issues."
"But he looked like he was doing fine with you, Son," noted Archie.
"How did the visit to the Children's Ward go," asked Viola.
"Lovely," smiled Grace. "The children were so glad to receive their books, but I think even happier to receive two new friends. Allie and Arabella did a great job of befriending them."
"May we go back, Granda?" asked Allie.
"We most certainly can. On Thursday, before we go shopping, we'll stop by with a few little gifts," assured Grace, making a mental note to have them collected and wrapped.
"That makes me happy!"
"I got to help too, Mama!" piped in Arabella, and for once, Viola beamed with pride while taking her daughter into her arms.
"I'm so proud of you and Allie, Arabella! That was such a lovely thing for the two of you to do."
The separate discussions continued till Elizabeth nodded to Nathan.
"Excuse me, if we may, Elizabeth and I would like to share some news," then he nodded to Elizabeth, who grabbed Allie's hand, leading her to Nathan, so that the four of them would be together.
The kids were excited because this was unlike their Dad to ask for the floor.
Nathan was still holding Jack as he began.
"Elizabeth and I have been blessed beyond measure with our children and our marriage," and Nathan smiled down on a radiant Elizabeth. "We couldn't be more grateful or more thrilled."
He paused before starting again.
"We are so blessed to come into this marriage with our precious Allie and our precious Jack. And Allie, I want you to understand right now that you will always, always be our number one daughter, and Jack, you will always, always be our number one son. But your mother and I are thrilled to announce there's going to be a much-loved addition to our family. The doctor says definitely one, but probably two, and as your mother is convinced it is two, I'm going with two as well."
Allie shrieked, as did Julie and even Viola.
Grace and Madelyne weren't surprised at all but were still suddenly crying as they hadn't been at all sure about two.
"You mean we're getting not one but two babies?" asked Allie, beside herself with excitement.
"We think so, Allie Bean!"
"Jack, we're getting babies!" screamed Allie.
"A sisser?"
"Maybe, and maybe a brother too!" she answered, trying to calm her voice.
"Yay, a sisser!"
"We don't know for sure, Jack; it could be a brother or even two brothers," explained Elizabeth gently.
"No, a sisser!" insisted Jack, stomping his little feet.
The rest of the family giggled at the toddler's insistence as his mother hugged him, and Nathan hugged Allie.
"This is the greatest news ever! Congratulations!"
First, William hugged and kissed his daughter, then embraced his Son.
Archie was right behind him, doing the same and offering an Irish blessing as well as hugs and kisses.
"May all six of you have sunbeams to warm you
Good luck to charm you
Angels to protect you
Laughter to cheer you
And faithful friends near you!
And may God hold the six of you
In the hollow of His almighty Hand
Forever and ever and ever. Amen!" (*122)
Lots of commotion followed, with Viola, Anthony, and Julie following suit with their own embraces and kisses, along with their good wishes.
"I'm so happy for you, Sister and Brother! So very happy," enthused Viola with tears in her eyes.
"Over the moon. I'm an Auntie almost five times now! Oh my, I'm going to have to get organized," laughed Julie, throwing up her arms in delighted despair.
"A real blessing. So happy for you both and for my niece and nephew, too!" and Anthony picked up both children and swung them around.
Then, of course, he picked up Arabella, and although Viola was shocked at first, she remained silent when she saw her daughter's smile.
'Maybe it's time we think about a brother for Arabella,' mused Viola silently, shocked at the thought.
"Madelyne and I knew, my Darlings, but we're so thrilled this is officially out in the open now," enthused Grace, as excited as her family had ever seen her. "Well, we knew one baby, not the possibility of two beautiful babies, though, which is even better!"
"Bless you, Children. You've taken us all beyond 'over the moon.' These two infants will be loved from this moment on," promised Madelyne.
The flurry wasn't over as even Bertie and Godfrey hugged their Elizabeth and her husband, thrilled for them both and just so happy to be a part of the announcement!
They didn't say, but both had already figured it out and so were not surprised in the least as edified by their joint understanding glance.
Even the under butler offered his congratulations to the happy family.
And pure joy filled the room...
At the Dinner table, all the Thatchers and the Grants were beyond happy.
Cook had heard the news, and she directed her staff to fancy up the dinner in the little bit of time they had before the family was ready to eat.
It was a celebration indeed.
"Let us pray," offered William, as everyone gathered hands and bowed their heads.
"Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You with the greatest of thanks for the news of two new family members we've received the knowledge of just moments ago. We thank You from the bottom of our hearts, and we pray that You will work with each of our current family members and help each of us be what these two little ones are going to need us to be. We thank You for this time as a family and for the little ones we already have in our wonderful Allie, Arabella, and Little Jack. Thank You too for the food we are about to partake of, and may it nourish our bodies for your glory, we pray. In your most Holy Name, Amen!"
Everyone said Amen along with Jack's loud 'Men!' and Godfrey began service.
"Cook has outdone herself, and on such short notice too. This is a celebration indeed," declared Grace.
But as the Beef Wellingtons were served, Elizabeth took one bite and turned a lime-green.
"Excuse us," begged Nathan, who quickly ushered his wife from the Dining Room, at least this time knowing the closest facility but dreading the huge lunch that had been previously consumed by said wife.
The family was all smiles, now with everyone understanding, not just the mothers.
But a strange thing happened.
When Godfrey served his Miss Viola, she managed two bites before she too looked very ill and had to instantly leave the table without even being able to excuse herself.
Godfrey looked back in alarm, but realization dawned on Grace, who quickly shooed Lord Townsend to follow.
The family was stunned and quite speechless.
Only Julie could find any words.
"Well, I'll be a Monkey's uncle!"
To which the entire table exploded in laughter…
(*120) Gin Rummy & Game Rules from various Public Domain Resources
(*121) Winnie-the-Pooh, Writer A.A. Milne, Illustrator E.H. Shepard, 1926, Public Domain
(*122) Irish Blessing Adapted, Public Domain