Next [short] chapter is up! I think I'm planning to try and upload new chapters every two to three days now, since there's not too much to write about in this time span (I mean, the two boys are kids). Finals are here, so I'll be having some spare time to dedicate to this story, mmkay? Mmkay. Thanks for reading! :D

Chapter 3: Innocence

"I cannot solve this," Abigail mumbled, sipping some of her tea from her glass cup. She studied the paper carefully, as if it would provide clues for her. She frowned and stared intently at the print. "The answer eludes me."

"You can't? What a shame," Alice sighed, drinking her coffee. She smiled a bit exhaustedly and adjusted her dress. "It's supposed to be simple, really. I thought maybe you could solve it. You were always so bright, dear."

"Yes, but you know, education for women never truly benefitted anyone, so there was no point to knowing a lot anyway." Mrs. Kirkland stretched her back. "I need to leave and make the boys something to eat. I bet they're very hungry."

Mrs. Jones rose to her feet and rubbed her friend's shoulder. "I can help you. There is already a pot of water boiling in the kitchen. You just sit here and relax, ok?"

"Thank you, dear," Abigail smiled and returned to looking at the paper. "What grows thick at dark, but becomes thin in the day?" She reread the riddle, but her frown deepened. "It is no use. I cannot solve it."

"What is the matter, Mum?" Arthur came into the room, a perplexed look plastered on his face. He was holding hands with Alfred, who was just learning how to walk. "You look very tired and serious. Why are you so tense?"

"It's nothing, dearest," Abigail laughed, kissing the top of her child's head and ruffling his messy blond hair. "I am with Mrs. Jones trying to help her solve a puzzle, but I cannot solve it."

"What is the puzzle?" Arthur asked, staring at the same paper his mother held in her hand. He released Alfred's hand and lifted on his tiptoes to see.

"What grows thick at dark, but becomes thin in the day?" Alice smiled, stroking her baby's sandy blond hair. "It is too confusing."

Alfred garbled a few words in response, his face illuminating at his mother's touch. His cerulean blue eyes glistened, sparkling in the sunlight entering the window.

"Thin in the day, Thick at dark," Arthur thought to himself, pretending to rub his chin as if he had a beard (whose mannerisms mimicked that of his father's). "I don't know. Is it a tree?"

"Trees stay the same, love," Mrs. Jones giggled, and continued to prepare the stew. "They are either thick or thin, even if it's dark."

Arthur pouted and folded his arms over his chest. "I don't like this riddle. I know for sure trees change size in the dark."

"Don't be stubborn, Arthur," Mrs. Kirkland scolded. "Trees stay the same size."

"No, they grow fat in the dark, because the squirrels like to play with them during the day," Arthur protested, sticking out his lower lip. "They feel better looking fat at night because there's no one there to laugh at them. Everyone would be sleeping."

Silence prevailed for a few moments before Mrs. Kirkland's hard demeanor faded and the two mothers burst out laughing. Arthur blinked in surprise, wondering what the women found so funny in his words. Alfred remained swaying on his feet before falling onto his behind, finding the rug underneath him quite fascinating.

Arthur felt his cheeks turn slightly pink. "What is so funny, Mummy, Mrs. Jones?"

"Nothing, love," Mrs. Jones grinned, planting a kiss on the boy's head. "You're just a great joker."

Abigail laughed again, and then turned back to the paper. "He gets the innocence and imagination from his father. He was always such a kind and loving man, but sometimes he was too naïve for his own good."

"I see," Mrs. Jones took her cup of coffee to rinse it off, and then dried it and put it away in the cupboard. "I don't remember the last time I have met your husband."

"Neither have I. Oh," Mrs. Kirkland laughed again. "Look at how far off topic we have gotten! Let's try to solve the riddle. What grows thick at dark, but becomes thin in the day?"

"Kitty," Alfred blurted out, leaping onto his feet and chasing after a cat in the house. He fell on all fours and crawled away from the women and his brother.

The other three watched the toddler speed after the feline, and Mrs. Jones's eyes brightened. "Ah! Cat eyes," She smiled to herself, clapping her hands excitedly. "Thank you Alfie! Cats' eyes are thin in the day and thick at night, to help it with vision!"

"Really?" Arthur blinked once more, not understanding all too well.

Mrs. Kirkland finally beamed. "Yes, that's right, isn't it?" she sighed and patted Arthur's head before they eyed each other and burst out into giggles.

"Thank you Alfred!"