Of course they had received an occasional message every month or so, usually by bird post and Hortensia had even taken the precaution of having a basket of grain ready by the front door, just in case she had to pay extra postage because of stormy weather.
'Fancy asking a goose to deliver your message, just shows how far north they are to be talking with the geese! Not long now and they'll soon be sitting by the fire telling us all about their great escapade!'
Archibold grinned at Hortensia, 'always does to heed the call of the wild, where we would we be without an adventure to look forward to or to remember?' Hortensia smiled back at him, 'I really must make time for a moonlit walk' she thought to herself 'its been a while since we went out and danced in the moonlight on a frosty night and Archie does love a frolic!'
They continued sweeping and dusting and Archibold stacked fresh logs in the basket by the fireplace, 'looks they've never been away....a good thing too as I don't think that its long now till their return'.
'Oh Archie' said Hortensia 'I have missed them, I am very glad that they are having such a wonderful time but I do long to have them home again'.
For Aunt Mildred and Uncle Humperdinck had been away for a whole circle of seasons and the little dwellers in the forest longed for their safe return and for Aunt Mildred to make a new supply of mint humbugs. Humbugs had had to be rationed, as even though Aunt Mildred had make lots extra before she left, she had refused to tell anyone, not even Hortensia, the special recipe - and now there weren't very many left and winter was almost upon them - when the necessity for mint humbugs was essential for good humour and to ward off colds.
'Hold steady' said Archibold 'they'll be here before we know it and then what marvellous stories there will be with fresh humbugs all around and no need for rationing!'
And with that they set off home to have a tasty cup of nettle tea and a flapjack slice, collecting baby Harriet from the rabbit nursery on the way and singing songs of bluebells and springtime.
