Passion and humbugs.........

Hortensia was sitting with Aunt Mildred watching Archibold as he started on the statue. Aunt Mildred was sucking on her pipe and Archibold was feeling more than a bit nervous that she was going to begin giving instructions before he had got going and knew for sure what he was going to do. He winked at Hortensia who, grasping what he was worried about, suddenly began to sing very loudly to baby Harriet about how wonderful Aunt Mildred's mint humbugs were - and how when she was older she would be let into the secret of how to make them! This distracted Aunt Mildred sufficiently for Archibold to begin banging with his chisel and mallet and to begin to start to uncover the outline of his hero from the lump of wood in front of him.

Aunt Mildred was loudly protesting that no matter how much she might adore baby Harriet, she never gave her recipes to anyone - not even a favourite relative, 'why Hortensia if I was going to give the recipe to anyone it would be you' Hortensia smiled at her, 'you know very well that there is no way that you will ever give the recipe to anyone - I just thought that I would encourage your soft spot for Harriet!'
Aunt Mildred humphed loudly and taking baby Harriet on her knee started rocking her asleep. Hortensia took her opportunity and went to look at how Archibold was progressing.

Truth was Archibold was having a hard time of it, he wasn't a natural sculptor and however much he chipped away, the block of wood had begun to look as though a mad chipmunk with toothache had been gnawing at it. 'Let me have a go Archie, you have a rest for a minute.' Now as soon as Hortensia took the chisel and mallet in her hands, she felt an intense heat in her hands, she looked at the wood and as she stared, she was sure that she could see the shape of a hero within the grain.

Tap, chip, tap chip, Hortensia hadn't felt so excited in ages, on she went oblivious to the others gathering around to watch, and much to everyone's amazement the shape of a handsome and Noble Gnome begin to take shape before them. Tap tap tap, Hortensia felt aflame with enthusiasm, the gnome emerging was tall and lithe, his hair was streaming behind him as though he was standing tall against a wind, 'how strong he looks' she thought 'someone with heart and courage and spirit of kindness for all - a true leader of gnomes and a Keeper of Trust'.

Eventually Hortensia tired and stood back to admire her handiwork, the others gathered round cheering and clapping, 'Hortensia is a sculptor, Hortensia is a sculptor' Hortensia smiled and remembering her strange and magical dream by the stream put her hand up to her heart - following her heart was indeed the right way to go......