Silk scarves and questions …….

Archibold and Hortensia had been thinking hard about what to make for Uncle Humperdinck's birthday. 'It's all very well thinking that socks are useful, but a birthday is supposed to be a special day and socks aren't a special present!' Hortensia sighed, of course gnomes are very sensitive about their feet, what with the big toe problem and the occasional chilblain, but she truly didn't feel, however useful, that unwrapping up a pair of socks would make her Uncle feel loved on his birthday.

'What about a new waistcoat?' asked Archibold, Hortensia thought for a few minutes, 'if you cut it out I'll do the embroidery?' Archibold winked at her, 'course I'll do the tailoring My Dear! but what will we use for fabric?'

Well that was the question, gnomes can and do weave their own materials, but the truth is that for a really special outfit finding a piece of unusual human fabric - say an abandoned hat or the usual handkerchief (excellent for sheets and pillow cases) or even an occasional jacket or sweater was a bonanza!

'What we really need is a scarf, Archie and preferably of silk!' Archie looked a bit flummoxed, 'humans don't wear silk like they used to, its all weatherproof plastic nowadays, unless they are old, most ladies don't even wear headscarves!'

'That's it Archie' exclaimed Hortensia 'we will have to leave a message for Mrs Partridge, she'll have lots of scarves and I am sure won't mind donating one!'

Mrs Partridge was the gnomes' friend. She lived in her house on the edge of the forest with a beautiful garden which the gnomes helped to look after. She did in fact, own the wood and had set up plans to keep it in trust for the local community as a nature reserve. As she said to herself one evening after seeing her solicitor about her will, 'I can't ever explain that the community includes gnomes as well as people, but I know, and now the land and everyone who lives there or visits is safe!'

Over the years she had been very generous donating the contents of an old dolls house to the gnomes, and had even been to several of the gnomes parties and in return, had invited them to a memorable tea party in her lounge!

So it was with delight that as she washed up her tea cup one morning that she saw a familiar sight out her window. The gnomes, though very fond of Mrs Partridge and devoted to her garden, were still shy, so leaving a message on the lawn was a way of introducing a question without too much pressure.

Mrs Partridge popped on her glasses and a sweater as it was a bit nippy outside and went to look. There as usual carefully spelt out in with pebbles and in modern English was a message.

'DEAR MRS PARTRIDGE, DO YOU HAVE A SPARE SILK SCARF FOR US TO USE'

'Certainly straight to the point' thought Mrs Partridge, 'I suppose I do!" and with that she set to rearranging the pebbles with her walking stick so they spelt out, 'YES I WILL LOOK NOW'.

'Hooray' said Hortensia, 'success!' Archie gave her a wink and rushed off to sharpen his scissors!