Bertie and the Sad Occurrence

by Bena Glinney

A series of drabbles from Bertie's birth through about a year after his parents' death.

41. Her little sweetheart

"There's my little sweetheart!" cooed Angela, running over the lawn to my position near the creek bed.

I rolled my eyes heavenward but made sure Angela didn't see the gesture. "What ho, cousin Angela!" I greeted.

"What ho? Bertie, no one says 'what ho'." Angela giggled.

I sat up from my position in the grass and drew my chin up tall. "I do."

"Well, that doesn't matter anyhow. Mother says you're to come inside and get cleaned up for the trip to Aunt Agatha's.

I ran a cold eye over my diminutive cousin. She had the makings of an aunt if I didn't carefully guide her along the path to freedom.

"Walk with me a while, dear Angela. Aunt Agatha can wait."