Chapter Six
Spiller showed Halberd how to get in and out of the boat, how to untie it, and explained to him how they would need to tie up. "Barge this size always has to be tied at both ends," Spiller said, and Halberd promised to do anything Spiller told him. It was clear he'd never been in a boat before but he was treating it like an adventure and they were soon on their way through the moonlit night to Holmcroft.
"What's in Holmcroft?" Halberd asked.
"My friend, Daubery, who happens to have five daughters. Good a place as any for you to start looking if you want to find a way out on your own. He's been trying to marry off Hemiola, the oldest one, for awhile. She's about my age."
Hlaberd frowned. "Is there anything wrong with her? Is she pretty?"
"Better than a stick in the eye and very nice," Spiller answered, maneuvering his butter knife in the water. "Just not my type. I like out of doors and I need a girl who understands the way I live. Hemiola isn't that sort of girl. She's been brought up more traditional. But I think she'd suit you if you're interested. Couldn't hurt to at least take a look."
As they moved down river, Spiller told Halberd more about the family and their house in the wall. When they tied up finally at Holmcroft he looked at Halberd. "Just keep your eyes and your mind open and see what you think."
When they drew up to the landing, Halberd squinted downriver where the sun was sinking over the water. "Beautiful country here. What's around the river bend, Spiller?"
"Nothing I ever want to see again," he said shortly. "Get ready to get out. Want to get moored and get up to the house."
They slipped into the house hauling the jars of honey and the chunks of wax that Lupy had wrapped in sheets of paper tied with twine. Actina, always the most observant, heard them coming and stuck her head out the door. "Spiller!" she cried, happy as ever to see him, but she stopped short at the sight of Halberd's head towering over Spiller's. "And someone else!" she crowed. "Someone new!"
Daubery came to the door, and smiled at Spiller, but his eyes went round at the sight of Halberd. "Welcome, Spiller, and who's your friend this time? I can see it's not Pod."
"This is Pod's nephew, Halberd. I was visiting his folks and he decided to come along with me on this trip. We've got some honey and some nice candle wax for you if you can use it," Spiller told him.
"I'm sure we can," said Sateen, coming up behind her husband as he stood aside in the doorway to let the young men in. "Hemiola, come and help me sort these things out."
When Hemiola came forward Halberd saw that she was not unattractive at all. Indeed she was very attractive to him in her calico dress and black boots. More so than her sisters who looked much younger. "So you're Hemiola," he said gently. "Spiller's told me so much about you. I just had to come and meet you for myself."
She blushed and took a jar of honey from him as Actina came running up and clung to Spiller's hand. "We haven't seen you since you brought the shoes. We've missed you, Spiller. Where've you been?"
"Oh, here and there," he told her, as he swung her up onto his hip. "You're getting heavy, girl, or I'm getting old. How about seeing if my friend and I can have a cup of tea and a bite to eat? We've had a long trip down from Halberd's house."
'You're a house borrower?" Daubery asked, as they sat down to a meal of bread and cheese, tea and cake.
"My father and brothers and I do a bit out of doors but only when we have to," Halberd said, putting cheese onto a piece of bread. "I have two younger brothers and one older sister. My youngest brother doesn't borrow yet, but my other brother and I help Pa and my sister helps my mother." He glanced at Sateen and complimented her on the food. When he was told that Hemiola had made the cake he smiled at her. "I can't wait to try it, then."
As he ate, Spiller said casually, "I stopped in to tell that side of the family that Arrietty and I have come to an understanding. They were awfully pleased for us. When we marry next year I might not get out as much for awhile. We'll be setting up our own place. I'm thinking of teaching Halberd to do some my deliveries. He can have my stove as a base. It's a nice enough place to settle in, close to the river."
Daubery, open mouthed with shock, stammered, "Why Spiller, that's…very wise of you to be planning ahead. We all wish you the best of course. I thought you said you weren't ready to settle down, though."
"It will be at least a year, maybe a bit more, but I got to plan ahead," he said, looking down at his cup as he stirred some sugar into his tea. "I'm sure you'll be able to get along with Halberd as well as you do me. He's more sociable at any rate."
Halberd told them over the meal about Hendreary and Lupy, how they had met and combined their families. He told them about Eggletina, and about his brothers. "Grego can take over for me with Pa if I keep helping Spiller. He's a bit younger than Spiller but he's been learning to borrow for awhile. Timmis can start helping him. He's growing up now."
"Pod told me about your family," Sateen said, passing the cake. "I remember thinking what a relief it was to know we weren't the last big family yet."
"They'll be young ones coming up soon," Spiller said, taking the cake she offered him. "My friend Burgonet got married last year and his wife's keen on starting their family. They're looking for material for diapers and baby clothes. I promised to keep my eye out for anything they can use. They live in a Vicarage."
"I'd like to meet them, too," Halberd said.
After dinner, they sat around the parlor and talked. Daubery, who was no fool, sat back a bit and prodded Hemiola to speak much more than he usually did. When Halberd commented on things around the house, Daubery would said, "Hemiola, tell the young man how you and your mother did that," or "Hemiola, do you remember when we got that?"
Encouraged for once to join in the conversation she proved to be a nice conversationalist. Spiller joined in the plot as well telling stories about how things they had done as children when Daubery had taken him in after his parents had died. Hemiola was the only one who could really chime in on these things as the other girls had been too young at the time to have the memories Spiller and Hemiola shared.
Then Spiller and Halberd told a series of stories that had Daubery's whole family laughing about how Halberds family has stopped at Spiller's stove for a bite to eat and had wound up staying there for two years.
"Learned my lesson about asking in guests after that," said Spiller, with a grin, "but at least now you know how things are situated there."
"I'm sure you treated them just as well as we treated you," Sateen said. "We tried to treat you like one of our own when you were here with us."
"When I drove you mad you certainly gave me a swat like you did the girls," Spiller retorted. "Remember the one time I took that apple pie you made off the table and went out into the hallway and ate the whole thing? You smacked me so hard I thought the next time I ate it would have to be off the mantelpiece. I certainly couldn't sit down."
"That wasn't the worst of it," replied Sateen, who could remember several other things Spiller had done that had vexed her more.
Halberd laughed at the things Spiller had gotten up to as a boy. "He must have been quite a trial," he said. "I'm sure you missed him when he went back out on his own but it must have been a lot quieter here when he was only around for visits."
"He was always one for the woods and the river," Hemiola said. "Very hard to pin down he was. We always enjoyed the meat and the fish but Mama used to worry when he would take off on his own and be gone for days."
"Poor motherless thing" Sateen said. "He was a trial, but he was a blessing, too."
"I'll always come back and visit," Spiller assured her. "After me Mum died you were a blessing, too, but I've just got too much of the outdoors in me to settle down completely. That's why Arrietty is so perfect for me. She doesn't like being cooped up, either."
"She certainly didn't like it when she and Pod and Homily were staying with us," Halberd admitted, as he held out his cup for Hemiola to pour him some more tea. "She's like my sister Eggletina that way. They both have a restless streak, and then of course she missed you, Spiller. She talked about you all the time. 'When will he come?' she used to say, until we all got tired of hearing it. She's a nice girl though. I think you would all like her," he added looking around the table.
"Maybe we can bring her by sometime," Spiller said.
"I'd like that," Actina piped up, "if she's like Spiller. Maybe she will know some new games to play with me."
"Not sure about games," Halberd said, "but can Arrietty tell stories! She used to tell them to my little brother, Timmis, for hours. Lots of them about Little Fordham and the trains."
They all talked about Little Fordham for awhile and then Sateen said, almost regretfully since it had been a lovely evening, that it was time for bed. Spiller gave Halberd the bed in the back room that Sateen had set up for him and settled down on the rag rug with his quilt. Halberd offered to sleep on the floor, but Spiller said no.
"Don't spoil me. I get enough of that in Little Fordham. I'll be fine. I'm used to sleeping on the ground," said Spiller. "Don't get me wrong. Beds has their place but don't need them. So what did you think of Hemiola,"" he said lowering his voice.
"I like her," Halberd said firmly. "She's even nicer than you said she was. Do you think she liked me?"
"If she didn't she's a fool," Spiller said, "but I think she did."
And they went to sleep, each of them thinking of girls, Spiller of Arrietty and Halberd of Hemiola, who seemed to be just what he was looking for. He'd have to get to know her better, but she was definitely better than a stick in the eye. He did not find her pale skin unattractive. He was used to what borrowers looked like when they stayed under the floor. He liked her long, shining hair and her smile. Halberd was smiling himself as he dropped off.
They had a big breakfast of hen's egg omelet, sausage and tea. Sateen and Daubery gave Spiller a large bag of safety pins, an empty tobacco tin, a nice linen handkerchief and some matches in exchange for the honey and wax. Hemiola gave them a lunch that she had packed for them and told Halberd she was happy to have met him.
"I'm happy to have met you," he said, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze. She smiled at him brightly. She liked him. He was so tall, taller than Spiller, taller even than her father. She liked his easy smile, wavy brown hair and broad shoulders. Actina hugged Spiller and Halberd both before they left, and everyone told Spiller and Halberd that they were welcome back at any time and wished them a safe trip and good borrowing.
When they had the boat loaded Spiller and Halberd untied it and set off. On the way back to the groundskeeper's cottage, Spiller gave Halberd a intensive lesson in paddling and steering and he soon got the hang of it. The river was beautiful, smooth as glass. The fish could be seen swimming in the water next to the boat, and every so often a spotted frog would croak and jump into the water from the bank.
"Did you mean what you said about teaching me to run the river?" Halberd asked, finding it all exhilarating.
"Don't see why you shouldn't," Spiller said, sitting back and supervising Halberd as he moved the silver butter knife paddle through the water. "I can't be the only one to do it. See that now. Everyone's come to depend on me but that's more responsibility than I want. If you need to get out a bit this is the easiest way and then, there's always a chance you can work things out with Hemiola."
"Yes, there's that," Halberd admitted, thinking fixing the image of her blue eyes, shy smile and long, shining hair.
When they got close to Hendreary and Lupy's place, Spiller pulled in under a tree root and did a bit of fishing. It was a fine day for fishing and he caught ten minnows over the course of the afternoon. When they had their lunch, they found that Hemiola had put in two large pieces of cake.
"Got to say," Spiller admitted, "Hemiola is a good cook."
"She is," Halberd agreed fervently, licking a dab of frosting off the side of his lip.
When it got toward dusk they glided the rest of the way down river and pulled up in Spiller's usual spot. He and Halberd took the fish and the handkerchief to Lupy.
"How was it in the boat," she asked Halberd excitedly. "Was it nice on the river? I didn't think Spiller would let you drown."
"The river was smooth as silk," Spiller assured her, "and he makes a fair boatman. Paddled like a professional rower he did. I'd like to take him again someday. Can you smoke four of the fish for me? I'll pick them up next time I come. You can each have one of the others."
"Certainly, certainly," Lupy cried. "Now Halberd, supper's almost ready. You and Spiller can have a wash and come to the table and tell us all about your trip."
As they ate they talked about Daubery and his family. Halberd told them about Sateen, Daubery, the home in the wall, and about the girls. Hendreary was especially interested. "Didn't know there were any more big families left," he said.
"That's what they said about us. They're really nice people. I especially like Hemiola, the oldest girl. I'd like to see her again,"
Grego snorted and began to whine in a sing-song voice, "Halberd has a girlfriend! Halberd has a girlfriend!"
Halberd, with dignity replied, "I don't know her that well, but I'd like to. I'm certainly old enough to start thinking about what I want to do with the rest of my life. I have to meet girls somehow."
Lupy almost choked on the bite of biscuit she'd just put in her mouth. "Why Halberd, what a thing to say!
Halberd looked at her calmly. "Cousin Arrietty's only seventeen and she's already thinking of getting married. I think I should at least be able to make friends with some girls."
"Quite right," Hendreary said suddenly. "I've been thinking about that for awhile. Worried about it, I was. I can see why you might want something of your own someday. All young men do. Might as well see what's out there."
When Lupy turned to glare at him, he waved his pewter spoon at her. "Come now, old girl. Did you really think all the boys would want to stay in this wall forever? You were Arrietty's age the first time you married, weren't you? Got you out of the rain pipe, it did. Well, the boys are growing up and someday they'll be ready to strike out on their own, too."
"This is your entire fault," Lupy wailed pointing a finger at Spiller as she stood up shakily. "Always skulking around causing trouble, you are! You sneaked Pod and Homily out of this house and now you're taking their daughter away from them, and that's not enough, so you have to take our boys out, too!"
He swiveled around in his chair and stared at her, stunned.
Halberd intervened. "Mum, it's not Spiller's fault that Arrietty, Aunt Homily and Uncle Pod left. That was their choice," he said, throwing down his napkin and standing up, too, putting his arms akimbo. "We all agreed at the time it was the best choice. Tom and his grandfather were going away and we didn't know how long the cottage would be empty of humans. You never got along with Aunt Homily anyway, and we all knew Arrietty fancied Spiller, even then"
"I knew it," Eggletina interjected, earning her a dark look from her stepmother. "Well, I did. It was obvious."
"Oh, for sure," Grego added. "She would have left Pod and Homily here and gone away with you, Spiller, the night you brought them here. You could have had Cousin Arrietty back then!"
"Grego! Don't be a dunce!" Eggletina sighed, shaking her head and leaning over to cut the pie and pass it out.
Halberd, encouraged, carried on. "As for me, it's time I started seeing what's out there just like Papa says. It just so happens that Spiller's the one who knows the rest of the borrowers in the area best. How am I to do that unless he takes me?"
"Well, I never thought I'd live to see the day when you'd all speak to me this way!" Lupy stammered faintly. "If you'll all excuse me, I need to go lie down." Her chair creaked as she pushed it back and walked out of the kitchen with all the dignity she could muster.
Halberd looked at Hendreary. "You do understand, don't you?"
Hendreary sighed. "I do. You're just at that age. You've been shut up too long. It was different when I was a lad at Firbank. There were so many families then, all in one place. It was easy to meet other ones. The parties we used to have! It must get lonely here for you at your age. If you want to go out with Spiller now and again, and meet some of the families he trades with you have my good blessing. I'll settle it with Mother. Just promise me this, my boy, no hasty decisions, all right? Whatever you decide to do make sure you've thought it through. Now sit down Halberd, and eat up your pie. It's getting late. You and I can get that honey and wax for Homily after we're done and help Spiller load his boat."
Hendreary took a green glass goblet of Lupy's blackberry cordial, drank deeply, and smacked his lips. "No, Homily couldn't have stayed here with Lupy forever, any more than Arrietty could have stayed with her mother forever," he said thoughtfully. "Poor Spiller. I don't envy you Homily as a mother-in-law for all that she's my sister. You'll have to visit of course, but keep your boat tied up tight, my boy. Keep it ready for a quick getaway. Have a drop of cordial?"
"Not when I'm traveling. Never do when I'm traveling. Just don't hold with it." Spiller hid his smile behind a big bite of his pie. Firbank women certainly, if nothing else, definitely knew how to cook.
All the way to Little Fordham, he thought about how the trip had gone. Halberd, who was no longer happy at the groundskeeper's cottage had his father's permission to go on trips with Spiller occasionally, which was a good thing for both of them. One, because it was getting Daubery off his neck and preserving some of Hemiola's dignity, and two, Spiller's relationship with Arrietty was cutting into his business. It couldn't hurt to have someone else know the route.
Arrietty could travel with him most of the time but probably not all of the time, certainly not if they ever did have a family of their own. A boat was no place for a new baby and while Spiller wasn't rushing the marriage, having fun with Arrietty and no family responsibilities at the moment, it was going to happen someday. He was sure of that now.
He had known that deep down even when he had been the most unsure about it. It had come out of his mouth so naturally that it was as if his heart had made up his mind for him before his head even had a chance to think it through. Not that it has been a hasty decision. He and Arrietty had made a connection from the start, from when she'd been living in the boot.
The only thing Spiller did regret was offering Halberd the use of his stove. Now that he was down both a kettle and a boot, he didn't have that many places along the river to stay anymore, unless he continued to stay with people or just slept in his boat or out of doors. He still had his boat dock, where the kettle used to be if he wanted to sleep in his boat and scavenge around the drain, but he wasn't sure if Arrietty would like that long term.
When he got off the river and into the stream by Mr. Pott's house he tied up the boat in his usual spot near the Little Fordham fence. Carrying his quilt and other gear he headed through the thick grass toward the Crown and Anchor. He and Pod, or even Arrietty could come back later and get the honey and the wax from Lupy, and the safety pins and matches from Daubery. He had a feeling Pod was going to want to take the tobacco tin up to the mill. They were going to need a place to store food where it would be safe from mice. If Spiller was right he had a trip to the mill in his immediate future.
Little Fordham looked very much the same that night as it had done when he'd first brought Pod and his family there. The moon was shining and there were sharp shadows everywhere. The church cast a long shadow down the street as Spiller shifted his quilt slightly under his arm and headed to the Crown and Anchor. A field mouse ran across a set of gleaming railroad lines and Spiller considered pulling out his bow but there would be time for hunting later. He knew Arrietty would be watching for him. They all watched for him when he was away, on nights when the moon was full.
It made him feel kind of warm to know someone was out there waiting for him. The kitchen was warm, too, when he walked in the back door and took his things into the small back bedroom. He turned and walked back into the kitchen just as Arrietty burst through the door from the front of the pub and hurled herself into his arms. This was the most like coming home Spiller had felt in a long time.
'Oh, Spiller, I've missed you!" Arrietty said, into his neck.
"I've missed you, too," he assured her, and when she tilted her head back to look into his face he kissed her, long and hard. He let go when he heard Pod and Homily walking back to the kitchen. When they came in he and Arrietty were standing together with their arms around each other, but that was all right.
"Spiller, we've been watching for you these two nights past," scolded Homily. "We were worried."
"Nothing to worry about," he said, releasing Arrietty, and stepping back slightly, scratching his head.
"Have you had supper?" Homily asked. "We've got half a cheese sandwich and some grapes we borrowed from the visitors, and I could make coffee, or tea. Go wash up, dear."
"Tea will be fine. Could do with a bite," he said, going to the sink and washing his hands as requested. "Had a bit to eat at Hendreary's but it didn't set that well. Lupy's angry with me and went off on a tear."
He came and sat down and Arrietty sat beside him, so they could hold hands under the table. "Whatever did you do to upset Lupy?" Arrietty wondered.
"Wouldn't be hard," muttered Homily as she put the kettle on.
"I went there first, and then decided to take some honey and wax from those bees they had to Daubery's house," Spiller said, as Homily brought a big piece of cheese sandwich to the table. "Halberd was feeling out of sorts and I let him come with me. Thought he could do with a change, I did. Well, he and Hemiola hit it off pretty well. He's getting restless and he's not bad looking after all, so of course Daubery was all for him coming to visit again and I thought, why not? Someone else should learn my routes on the river. If I'm going to be spending time here and at the mill helping you get your new place set up I won't be traveling quite as much. Already have cut down, you know."
He reached for a piece of grape when Homily set one down on his plate, washed and cut in quarters. "Hendreary agreed with me. Knows the boys are getting older and eventually will need to think about their futures, but Lupy lit onto me like a duck on a June bug."
He took a huge bite of the grape, as Pod nodded. "I wondered how long they'd all be able to stay in that wall. Halberd's well past the age to start thinking of himself." He glanced at Homily fondly. "We'd been married a couple of years when I was his age."
"It was different under the floor," Homily started to say, shooting a quick glance over at Arrietty. She didn't want her daughter thinking of marrying too soon. Homily was getting used to the idea of Arrietty marrying someday but she still saw it as an eventuality, not something they needed to worry about at the moment.
"Yes, it was different then," Pod retorted. "The young people had friends, other families to associate with. Where's Hendreary's bunch going to meet any other ones, unless Spiller gives them a little help? I doubt if young Tom will just go out and pick them up to add to his collection."
"Hendreary said near the same thing," Spiller admitted, reaching for the sandwich as Homily poured him tea "He knows how it is. Oh, and by the way, I got a tobacco tin. Thought you might want to take it up to the mill and use it for storing food. Don't need it here.'
"No, we don't," Pod said, "but I'd like to have it. Many's the time I wished we had one when we were living in the boot. Keeps the mice out of your provisions, a good tin does."
"Are there a lot of mice at the mill?" Arrietty asked, squeezing Spiller's hand. "Not that I'm afraid of them, but I can't abide the smell."
"Not too many," he assured her. "You can't keep them out altogether but not too many. The river's right there and they do come in a bit more when you get high water. We can fix up some gates or something like Burgonet has to keep them out of the living quarters."
"Can we go with you this time to see this mill?" Homily demanded. "I'd feel better if I could get an idea in my head about how it's going to be."
"Don't see why not," Spiller said, taking another piece of his grape. "After we do that, though, I need to get the shoes to Arista and Burgonet. They've been waiting a long time for them. Arrietty, do you fancy another visit?"
"I'd like that," she said, "but after Mother and I see the mill. Can we go tomorrow?"
So that is what they did. They took the tin and the safety pins, and some more of the pale blue yarn and headed to the mill. Arrietty was fascinated by the water wheel, and Homily was terrified, but once they were under the floor and she felt secure again Homily had to admit the place had possibilities. She agreed that the side section by the fireplace was the right spot for a kitchen, if only they could find something to turn into a stove. She also agreed that Spiller should be able to keep his bedroom/storeroom as it was.
Arrietty was very quiet as Pod and Homily measured, planned, arranged and debated. Spiller could tell right away that she was not impressed and knew it wouldn't be long before Arrietty wanted out from under the floor. He was glad he could now take her out on the boat, but the boat would do them no good in the winter. So he was hoping to stall the move to the mill as long as possible.
He didn't think it would be hard. Homily was all for finishing setting up the new home a bit more before moving in, and everyone was comfortable at the Crown and Anchor. Even Pod was less nervous now that they were out of Vine Cottage and being more careful to stay out of sight. They spent so long at the mill that Spiller didn't want to try to make it back all the way to Little Fordham in one straight shot, but he wasn't sure if taking the whole family to Daubery's house was a good idea, either. In the end, though, that's what they did.
Spiller took twice as much flour and cornmeal than he usually did, to appease them for barging in with Arrietty and her entire family. When they got into the wall, Actina heard them first as usual, and she was so excited to see so many people that she clapped her hands and did a little dance.
Arrietty thought of how she had felt the first time she had stepped into Aunt Lupy's place at the groundskeeper's cottage and smiled at the little girl, who came running up to Spiller for a hug, as always.
From her seat on his hip, she said brightly, "you must be Arrietty!" and held out her arms. Arrietty reached out automatically and took the little girl.
"I am, and I'm so glad to meet you at last! Papa has told me all about you!"
"Go ask your mum if she can put us up for the evening, Tina," Spiller said." We can't make Little Fordham tonight."
Sateen soon appeared, wiping her hands on her apron. "Oh, my, Spiller, what are you up to this time?"
"Took Pod and his family to the mill to start making plans for the move and got stuck. Hate to ask, but can you put us up for the night? I brought quite a bit of flour and cornmeal for you if you want to count it a trade for room and board."
"Oh, don't you be silly," Sateen said. "How many times have we told you, any friends of yours are friends of ours? It'll be a treat to have some company, not that I can't use the flour. If you could sleep on the couch, Pod and his wife could have the bed we used to save for you and we can make a bed up for your Arrietty on the floor in there on the rag rug where you sleep when you come by visiting with Pod. And there's food enough for all if you don't expect anything fancy."
"We don't, Sateen, I assure you," Pod said, setting down two bags of flour and pulling Homily forward. She was mortified to be meeting these people after a trip to investigate what it was like under a dirty floor and a boat ride on the river. She automatically reached up and tried to straighten her hair. "This is my wife, Homily."
Sateen smiled at Homily. "Pleased to meet you." Then she looked at Homily transfixed. "That jumper of yours…is it made out of that yarn that Spiller brought us? I've been making socks out of that yarn and haven't gotten to anything else yet, but that knitting pattern! It's gorgeous. You must show me how to do it!"
"I'd be pleased," Homily said, blushing. "I knit with quilting pins. Just have to file down the tips. I've been doing socks, too. We all needed new socks, and that's such nice yarn. We can send Spiller down with some more of it if you wish. We've got more than I could ever use. You must let me help you with the food." She followed Sateen into the kitchen, the two of them talking a mile a minute. Hemiola was peeking out of the pantry, and Sateen introduced her to Homily, who beamed at her.
"You must be the girl my nephew took a fancy to. You're just as pretty as I thought you'd be." Hemiola beamed back and the three women went into the kitchen. Spiller grinned. This might work out after all.
He took Arrietty by the hand and introduced her to the rest of the girls and to Daubery. "This is my Arrietty. I want you to meet her." There was so much love and pride in his voice that Arrietty couldn't stop smiling.
Actina came and took Arrietty by the arm. "Will you tell me a story after dinner? I hear you tell good stories."
"I'll try," Arrietty said slowly. This was something she hadn't expected. The twins came into the room after putting the cornmeal and flour away and watched as their father and Pod began to talk about what Pod still needed for the move to the mill.
"If Sateen wants more yarn, perhaps we can do a deal for some of the things we can find around here," Daubery said.
"Perhaps," said Pod.
He and Spiller decided that they'd make a fast run back to the mill the next day to drop off some borrowings that Daubery was willing to give them in trade. He had some more nails, wire, a couple of empty ink bottles and some fishing line that Pod was sure he could use to set up housekeeping, but they both agreed there was no sense in taking those things back to Little Fordham and then having to move them back to the mill. Homily and Arrietty, Daubery assured them, could stay and visit while they did that.
In honor of the occasion Sateen raided her stores and the women cooked a wonderful feast. She and Homily had become fast friends in the kitchen. Homily had complimented Sateen's home extravagantly and described how she wanted things to be at the mill.
Homily also told several stories about Halberd, what he had been like as a baby and as a little boy, and assured Hemiola that if she really liked him, that it was high time he settled down. "He needs to get out from Lupy's thumb. She's my sister-in-law but she's a trial at times."
When everyone was washed up and ready to eat, Pod, Sateen, Homily and Daubery sat at the table with Spiller, Arrietty and Hemiola. The other children had a sort of picnic in the parlor next to the dining room where they could watch all of the others eat and listen to them talk. The younger children had never seen so many borrowers in one place before and it was an exciting occasion for them.
The adults had dandelion wine, and even Homily was persuaded to have a glass, for pleasant dreams, Daubery said. She had to admit it was tasty. She'd never tried wine making and Daubery and Sateen explained all of their methods until it was time for the younger children to go to bed, and the extra bedding to be pulled out.
When Spiller and Pod went back to the mill the next day Homily and Arrietty didn't mind continuing their visiting. The breakfast, and supper that day were just as lavish as the supper the night before had been. When the men got back at night, Pod and Daubery had a long talk about the finer points of house borrowing over cake and tea while Homily, Sateen and Hemiola shared more knitting and sewing tips. Spiller and Arrietty played with the younger children, teaching them songs and games, and telling stories.
When it was time to go, to Spiller's amusement, everyone hugged a lot and laughed a lot, and there were invitations to return extended and accepted. He'd had his doubts about how things were going to go but the chance to be sociable, something he had never quite mastered, was something that came naturally to both his foster family and future family.
On the way out, Spiller promised Hemiola privately, while some of the final goodbyes were being said, to bring Halberd back next time, and Arrietty watched amused as Hemiola hugged him around the neck and told him thank you. Hemiola then hugged Arrietty and wished her every happiness.
"Take good care of Spiller, won't you? He's like the brother I never had and I do like to see him get the best."
"I will," Arrietty promised, "and if things work out for you with my cousin, then we'll be related for good. Won't that be fun?"
"Very," said Hemiola, releasing Arrietty and winking.
As they settled in the boat Homily looked back at the house fondly. "That was a lovely time, Spiller. I do so like your friends."
"They're nice people," he said, untying the boat with Pod's help and pushing off. He was glad it had all worked out, but he had a lot of work to do, and things to check up on, and it seemed like he'd never be able to do it. He really did, he realized, need to get Halberd on board with his trading route.
Pod and Homily eventually stretched out under the canopy next to the cargo and dozed off, but Arrietty sat near the front of the boat by Spiller. He couldn't resist teasing her a little. "Not jealous of Hemiola anymore are you?"
She looked out over the water, and seemed to be thinking hard. "No. After all, she doesn't have thick ankles."
Spiller's head spun around. He wasn't sure if he'd heard her right over the sound of the river. "She…what?"
Arrietty looked back at him then, and smiled, a mysterious sort of smile. "Never mind," she answered. "Never mind."