Monday 25 August 2014

Silk quilts and preparations!

'Well might as well use what we have!' Hortensia was putting the final stitches in the hem of the quilt she had made out of some of Mrs Partridge's donated silk scarf. 'So soft and smooth Archie, and so pretty!'

'Looks lovely my Dear, very cheerful too with the rose in the middle!' Archibold was tightening the rope around the bed frame under the mattress in the spare bedroom, 'don't want her to sink into a hollow in the middle and not be able to get out!'

Hortensia carefully folded the quilt, and between them they started vigorously shaking the mattress, 'best swan's down and silk, Oh Archie how lovely it's going to be!'

Gnomes pride themselves on their hospitality and along with tasty dinners, Hortensia and Archibold were renowned for the comfort of their home. 'Best be off to scout out some fresh nettles and blackberries for supper' and with that Archibold put on his green outdoor hat, kissed baby Harriet, popped his empty sack over his shoulder and waved goodbye as he ran out the front door.

'Nettle soup for tea my Darling, tasty dasty Precious and Auntie Eleanora's favourite!' Baby Harriet gurgled back, she was very excited about her Auntie Eleanora coming to stay. In fact she was making her own special preparations to welcome her and seeing that Hortensia was busy dusting, she took off advantage of the moment and crawled at considerable speed to the wooden storage chest in the hall.

Hortensia of course noticed and as she said to Archibold later, ' I could hardly breathe when I saw what she was doing, so quick she was too'. Week after week, Baby Harriet had been hiding treasures under the chest ready for when her Auntie would come to stay. 'I never even saw her pick things up Archie, but there they were, little bits of coloured glass, different coloured stones, a few feathers…I found a basket for her and she spent ages arranging them all!'

Baby Harriet had been thrilled at the basket, she had been taking Eleanora's advice to heart and had been noticing all the beautiful things around her and collected some of them as a gift for her. She had carefully arranged them all together in the basket humming a little song as she played.

'Sometimes I wonder Archie, she seems to be in a world of her own and hardly a baby at all!' Hortensia   was stringing up mushrooms to dry above the stove to make stews during the winter months, 'My Dear you worry too much, she just is who she is and lovely with it!' He smiled at Hortensia ' no need to fret, Eleanora is watching over her!'

They sat down for a cup of tea, 'no cake Archie we are having such a big supper later' Hortensia smiled as she popped a flapjack on his saucer, 'as everythings ready, I think I am going to put my feet up for wee nap!'

Of course, you know what happened, they all fell asleep  - till Stephanotis banged on the door to say Eleanora had been sighted coming over the big field!