When Harold unlocked the door, a small crowd rushed in, propelled by blasts of icy cold wind. As soon as they stopped shivering and acclimated to the Community Center's warmth, Harold was there. Complete with tray around his neck, necklaces, and a donation can, he let go in his best sheep-calling tones, "Sheep necklaces. Get your sheep necklaces here. Any small donation gets you a really nice sheep necklace. And they make great presents, so you'll wanna buy more than one." A very orderly line formed immediately, stretching around the corner and into the hall area. "Wow! Thanks, guys! This is a good start. If I can sell all these necklaces today, Bunty said I can read my '10 Wonderful Reasons to Love Wool' out loud." Pffft. Gone with the wind. Harold held the door open for the next rush and turned around to find . . . no one. "Guess they must have gone to get a hot drink or something. No problem. I'll just catch 'em inside." The second wave of kids huddled around Harold, who didn't have time to say a word, all asking to buy a necklace or two. Kitty had been spreading the word all over town. (Harold thought it was his winning smile that brought everyone to his tray of necklaces. We'll let him keep thinking that.) The noise in the hallway was deafening, as the excited crowd pressed in on him. I'll take two green ones, Harold. Do you have any blue? I'd like one of each color, please. Can you tell me where the bathrooms are? Is that a new hat, Harold? Looks great on you. How much do they cost? I'd like a girl sheep necklace. I need four for Christmas gifts, please. Once everyone had their necklaces, they all (including Harold) headed for the warmth of the hall. And the pie stall.
Trudy was just finishing her pie and cocoa when Harold and the others blew in. She wondered if any advertising was going to be necessary, if this first crowd was any indication of what the day would be like. There were a lot of familiar faces missing, presumably because these were just the early risers. She even saw Eliot coming in the door -- without Bunty. That's a first! Fletcher grabbed a necklace to take home for Cap and headed straight to Eydie's booth for a slice of apple pie. "Heavy on the whipped cream, please!" Sioned (who had bought her necklaces at the door) made a beeline for Mabel and Joan's booth, with all those warm and beautiful sweaters. But wait! There was someone Harold hadn't seen yet. "Hey, Sonja! Glad you could come today. Check out these neat sheep necklaces. Your whole donation goes to the RBST 'Love a Longwool' fund. They come in a variety of colors to match every outfit, and they make great presents. How many would you like?"
"Oh, Harold! They're beautiful! Do you mind if I look through the different colors? I wouldn't want them to actually match my clothes or anything, but I could see myself wearing two or three at a time. Would it be a bother if I took those right there?" "No bother at all. Here ya go. Remember, tell your friends where to find me. And choose wool!" "But Harold, these aren't wool." Harold turned to find another unsuspecting shopper. It was a couple of seconds before he realized what Sonja had said, but by the time he turned around she was gone. Girls.
It's a good thing that Harold is as wired as the Energizer Bunny, because shoppers were crowding through the door faster than you could say 'Love a Longwool'. In no time at all, the whole Center was abuzz with chatter and noise coming from every corner of the room. Mina was hastily adding the final touches to a pitcher, and Eydie was filling hot chocolate cups as fast as she could. Steviekins just weaved his way through the shoppers, purring away while he nuzzled their legs. He knew how to play a crowd, and they all knew what he wanted.
While circulating through the crowd, Harold was stopped dead in his tracks by the sight of Eliot walking in by himself. "What's up? Where are the girls? Somebody sick? Bunty not feeling well? She looked fine yesterday. What's wrong? And who's babysitting Truannie, if you're here?" Eliot had agreed to stay home today and babysit Harold's baby sister (the Island's favorite baby). "Harold! Bunty's babysitting, of course. Do you think I'd leave my Godchild with just anybody? And everyone's fine. The red-hair trio just didn't want to move one without the other. Once I get back, it'll be their turn to come. And you ought to see the size of the bags those girls have pulled out for their Bazaar shopping." Two customers approached Harold and his tray, so he asked Eliot to wait a second while they dropped their donations in the can and picked through the necklaces. "That's four more down. How'm I doin'? Okay, so, how'd you manage to get the girls to let you come alone? And to come first? Hang on a minute, someone's back for another one. How 'bout a green one this time, Sioned? Thanks for your donation, and send your friends my way! Now, what was I saying, Eliot? Oh, yeah . . . how'd you get the girls to let you come alone?"
Eliot and Harold are best friends. Harold is so full of energy and life. They say opposites attract. This was one of those moments that proved the rule. "Harold, don't you ever get tired? To answer your question, I just told them I had to. No questions allowed. You know you said I should get out more and help with things? Well, I tried it again, and you were right. I spent all night thinking about something I'd helped move to Mina's stall yesterday. You can't guess? Just look, man. See that set of sheep dishes she's got over there? Don't they remind you of someone? You know, SHEEP. Sheep, man. No, not you. What would you do with a fancy set of sheep dishes, anyway? No, I want to buy them for Bunty." Masami's soft little voice interrupted at just that moment, and Harold spun around with his best sales smile. "I know all about them, Harold, and I'd like to buy a purple one, please. Yes, just one. Thank you so much. Hi, Eliot. Where's Bunty? Is she coming today? Okay, maybe I'll see her later. Hey, Sonja, wait for me!" Harold turned back to Eliot. "I came alone, because I couldn't risk Bunty getting here first and seeing the dishes. She'd have bought them for herself, but I want to surprise her with them. I don't know, birthday or Christmas. Or maybe just because she's the best sister a bloke could have. I'll know when it's the right time. Anyway, before someone else beats me to it, I'd better get over to Mina's stall. There's a lot of activity over there already, so I'd better run. What? Okay, I'll take one . . . no, give me two. Truannie can have this pink one."
Eliot and Harold are best friends. Harold is so full of energy and life. They say opposites attract. This was one of those moments that proved the rule. "Harold, don't you ever get tired? To answer your question, I just told them I had to. No questions allowed. You know you said I should get out more and help with things? Well, I tried it again, and you were right. I spent all night thinking about something I'd helped move to Mina's stall yesterday. You can't guess? Just look, man. See that set of sheep dishes she's got over there? Don't they remind you of someone? You know, SHEEP. Sheep, man. No, not you. What would you do with a fancy set of sheep dishes, anyway? No, I want to buy them for Bunty." Masami's soft little voice interrupted at just that moment, and Harold spun around with his best sales smile. "I know all about them, Harold, and I'd like to buy a purple one, please. Yes, just one. Thank you so much. Hi, Eliot. Where's Bunty? Is she coming today? Okay, maybe I'll see her later. Hey, Sonja, wait for me!" Harold turned back to Eliot. "I came alone, because I couldn't risk Bunty getting here first and seeing the dishes. She'd have bought them for herself, but I want to surprise her with them. I don't know, birthday or Christmas. Or maybe just because she's the best sister a bloke could have. I'll know when it's the right time. Anyway, before someone else beats me to it, I'd better get over to Mina's stall. There's a lot of activity over there already, so I'd better run. What? Okay, I'll take one . . . no, give me two. Truannie can have this pink one."
"But Eliot," Harold sputtered, "Truannie is a baby. She could choke on that or hurt herself with the cord. How about a soft cuddly hat or something less dangerous?" Eliot was undaunted. "I already bought her a hat at the last Wool Show, and she hasn't outgrown it yet. Besides, if "the Child" can wear one, our even-cuter baby Truannie certainly can. Oops, I almost forgot. Bunty said I'm supposed to pick up a purple necklace for a friend of Nanea's who lives in Colorado. Got any left?" Harold picked out what Eliot had asked for, and his friend nearly filled the donation can. They crossed paths, Eliot towards Mina's stall and Harold after people who'd come in while he was talking to Eliot.
To no one's surprise, some of the Merry Men had been among the first to line up at Eydie's Gourmets. Fletcher opted for the new spiced Wassail and a piece of apple pie -- "Hold the whipped cream, please!" Sun Ho couldn't say no to the pumpkin pie and hot cocoa -- "Heaps and heaps of whipped cream on mine, please, and I'll take Fletcher's, too!" George just stood there, next to their table, waiting for his friends to start eating. At the same time, the boys looked up and told him to get something to eat and join them. "There's room for all of us. We can even take turns being the one to stand." George muttered something about not being able to decide, but Sun Ho began to suspect there was more to it than that. He drew a big breath and looked up at George, holding his stomach and leaning back in the chair. "Boy, I'll never be able to eat everything I paid for. I put extra in the donation can, sure I'd want seconds, but I'm gonna be full on just this. George, how'd you like to eat my seconds for me? I hate to ask for my money back, this being a good cause and everything, but it'd be a shame if someone didn't help me out here." George quietly thanked him and said he'd really rather wait a bit. "Would you fellas mind if I just stood here a while and we could talk? I ate a really big breakfast not long ago and don't know where I'd put more." That sounded a little weird (the Merry Men could always eat), but Sun Ho figured the awful weather might have put George off his feed a bit. So, while the two boys dove into their desserts, George just watched. And waited.
"George," Fletcher said between gulps, "why don't you say something? WE can't talk, because you know it's bad manners to talk with food in your mouth. Why don't you go get something to drink, anyway, so that you have an excuse for being so quiet? You feeling all right?" George softly said, "I'm fine. Maybe I just got up too early or something. I'm great, really. I'm just not hungry or thirsty right now. How's your food? Taste good? It smells really good, but I don't know. Maybe I'll just have some of that spicy juice." Without moving, though, George look at Sun Ho and asked him how he liked his food. "That sure is a lot of whipped cream. I normally eat mine like that, too . . . but I just don't know. It really tastes that good? Mind if I have just a little bite of yours? I'm, um, having a hard time deciding. That's it! I can't decide what to try first! It all looks so good . . . but I don't know what will . . . um . . . taste best. Either one of you feeling sick or anything? How'd you decide what to order?" The boys answered in unison, "Order some of everything! It all tastes great!" Sun Ho got up from the table and said, "I'll go up with you George. I think I have room for those seconds after all." George moved a step or two to the side, and then blurted out, "Can I taste just a bite of yours? Just a bite? Of anything? Please? I heard she made it all with . . . . sheep milk." George collapsed into Sun Ho's recently vacated chair, crestfallen and silent.
Sun Ho didn't say a word, just went up and got his seconds: a sliver of both kinds of pie and a cup of cocoa. All of it covered in mounds of whipped cream. With an apple fritter on the side, sans whipped cream but shiny with its milk glaze. He set it on the table in front of George, who hopped up to make room for Sun Ho and his seconds. Sun Ho pushed George back down and said "Eat! And don't get up from there until you've finished every bite!" George's little face was pitiful, but he wasn't going to be outdone by two other Merry Men. He held his breath, closed his eyes and shoved a big bite of pie in his mouth. Better to get it over with as fast as possible. One more big bite, and his eyes opened. Yet another bigger bite, and he drew a deep breath. George didn't say a word until he'd finished every drop of it. "Do you think it'd be rude to lick the plate?"
Sun Ho didn't say a word, just went up and got his seconds: a sliver of both kinds of pie and a cup of cocoa. All of it covered in mounds of whipped cream. With an apple fritter on the side, sans whipped cream but shiny with its milk glaze. He set it on the table in front of George, who hopped up to make room for Sun Ho and his seconds. Sun Ho pushed George back down and said "Eat! And don't get up from there until you've finished every bite!" George's little face was pitiful, but he wasn't going to be outdone by two other Merry Men. He held his breath, closed his eyes and shoved a big bite of pie in his mouth. Better to get it over with as fast as possible. One more big bite, and his eyes opened. Yet another bigger bite, and he drew a deep breath. George didn't say a word until he'd finished every drop of it. "Do you think it'd be rude to lick the plate?"
It's a good thing Bunty had made arrangements for Harold to empty his donation can at Mabel's stall. There were still a lot of necklaces to sell, but the bazaar was well under way with lots of people milling about and donations coming in right and left for the RBST. Harold went from one person to another with his tray, and not a single person said "no". Probably that winning smile, huh? As the morning wore on, Harold looked around the crowd to find another customer and realized he'd done a good job. Everyone is wearing a necklace, and most have extras hanging out of their pockets or bags. Guess it'd be all right if I took a break and got something to eat and drink. I wonder what the boys had? "Hey, George, what do you recommend I buy from Eydie? George! Quit licking that plate. Gross . . ."
Out on the floor, the shoppers were having a grand old time. Wool Week is always the social event of the year on Islandshire, but this Bazaar will probably set a new high standard. Amabel and Sonja had arranged to meet up at Eydie's for lunch, but the line hadn't let up since the doors had opened. "Quick, Sonja, there's an empty table over there. You grab it, while I order for both of us. What would you like? Apple or pumpkin? And to drink? I don't know what Wassail is, but it sure does smell good. All right, two Wassails for the daring young girls in the red jackets! Go grab the table before someone else gets it, and I'll join you in a minute or two." The girls whirled around, tripping over each other as they set off to opposite sides of the walkway. Fletcher and Sun Ho had run over to see if they could help, but the girls' laughter and "No harm done! Don't worry!" set everyone at ease. The boys helped them up and went back to their shoping. Sonja nabbed the table just in time, and Amabel made her way to the front of the line at Eydie's stall. Steviekins was still nuzzling everyone's legs, globs of whipped cream hanging off his whiskers.
Amabel was at the table in a flash. "Wow, my timing was perfect! I was in line for less than a minute when Eydie called out, 'My goodness, Amabel! I've been trying to find a second to say hello and catch up on what's going on, but the crowd has been endless. I had no idea that so many people would be here today. And you won't believe what's going like hot cakes -- the APPLE FRITTERS! I'm so glad you asked me to bring them. Sure, I've got one here for you. I've had it set behind all morning, just in case. I'm not sure I'll have enough to make it all day, but I've got a lot of Apple Pie that the latecomers will just have to content themselves with. Maybe a lot of whipped cream will save the day, right?! Now, if I could only get everyone to stop feeding it to Steviekins. I think he's gonna end up very sleepy from all this cream or up all night with a tummy ache. Yes, thanks for asking! He's all better now. Once we figured out that he's allergic to cat food, his sneezing stopped and he's the picture of health again. Eggs Benedict and cottage cheese had him on his feet again in two days.' All of a sudden, it was like a train car emptied onto the platform. The line was so long behind me that I quickly ordered our food and left her to the rest of her customers. Boy, those kids sure do like her stuff! Before I forget, here's a hug from Eydie for you. Now, if you don't mind, I can't wait any longer to sink my teeth into this apple fritter. Eydie never disappoints, does she . . . mmm . . . sigh . . ."
Sonja followed suit without uttering a word. The Wassail tasted even better than it smelled, but it was still a little too hot to drink. The pie, on the other hand . . . The two sat in companionable silence, resting their tired feet and enjoying the food, when Harold's voice carried above the noise in the hall. "Hi, Girls! How'd you find a table? If I had the concession on tables at this event, the RBST would be rich. Oh, boy! I just had a piece of pumpkin pie and hot chocolate, but watching you makes me wish I had ordered the other stuff. Oh, well . . . There's a lot of the day left. But, hey. It looks like Eydie doesn't have a lot of those Apple Fritters sitting out. Maybe I'd better go over and ask her to hold one aside for me. Back in a jif!" Boys. They're always hungry.
True to his word, Harold was back in a flash, giving Amabel and Sonja his best-est smile. "This type of work really takes it outta ya. Anyway, I'm here to show you these great sheep necklaces. All proceeds go to LOVE A LONGWOOL, and you wouldn't want to be the only ones on the Island without one. There are even some here that match your . . . um . . . colorful outfits. Just go ahead and pick whatever color you want. Or as many as you want." The girls just blinked. "But Harold . . . we already bought necklaces. See? We're wearing them."
"Oh."
Harold's disappointment was so heartwrenching, they each bought another one to give as a gift. Clink, clink. Harold smiled at the sound. "The sheep thank you. And I thank you. Did you know that Bunty told me I could read my '10 Wonderful Reasons to Love Wool' paper OUT LOUD at the last event, but only if I peddle all these necklaces for her? Wait'll I show her how well I'm doing. I bet she'll be thrilled! Gotta run!" The girls didn't think Bunty would be thrilled.
Sonja followed suit without uttering a word. The Wassail tasted even better than it smelled, but it was still a little too hot to drink. The pie, on the other hand . . . The two sat in companionable silence, resting their tired feet and enjoying the food, when Harold's voice carried above the noise in the hall. "Hi, Girls! How'd you find a table? If I had the concession on tables at this event, the RBST would be rich. Oh, boy! I just had a piece of pumpkin pie and hot chocolate, but watching you makes me wish I had ordered the other stuff. Oh, well . . . There's a lot of the day left. But, hey. It looks like Eydie doesn't have a lot of those Apple Fritters sitting out. Maybe I'd better go over and ask her to hold one aside for me. Back in a jif!" Boys. They're always hungry.
True to his word, Harold was back in a flash, giving Amabel and Sonja his best-est smile. "This type of work really takes it outta ya. Anyway, I'm here to show you these great sheep necklaces. All proceeds go to LOVE A LONGWOOL, and you wouldn't want to be the only ones on the Island without one. There are even some here that match your . . . um . . . colorful outfits. Just go ahead and pick whatever color you want. Or as many as you want." The girls just blinked. "But Harold . . . we already bought necklaces. See? We're wearing them."
"Oh."
Harold's disappointment was so heartwrenching, they each bought another one to give as a gift. Clink, clink. Harold smiled at the sound. "The sheep thank you. And I thank you. Did you know that Bunty told me I could read my '10 Wonderful Reasons to Love Wool' paper OUT LOUD at the last event, but only if I peddle all these necklaces for her? Wait'll I show her how well I'm doing. I bet she'll be thrilled! Gotta run!" The girls didn't think Bunty would be thrilled.
Eliot had been trying to get to Mina's booth for more than an hour, but folks were so happy to see him out and about that they kept stopping him for a "quick" chat. No one seemed to notice that he kept looking around and over his shoulder in Mina's direction. If they did, they didn't mention it. And they all asked the same questions, over and over and over. Eliot wondered if he couldn't use the PA and just answer them all at once. No, Bunty isn't here. She's feeling fine. She's at home with Truannie, who's also feeling fine. Yes, she'll be here later, and Brighton and Natalya are coming with her. Yes, it is freezing outside. No, I haven't bought anything yet or tasted Eydie's apple fritters. And, yes, there is a swell crowd here today. Bully for RBST . . . Eliot needs to get out more.
With the PA idea out, Eliot made his way slowly, ever so slowly, through the crowd. Ordinarily, he's a very sociable guy and would have loved to stand and chat with every person there. But today was different. He'd worked hard to make this happen, but it wasn't going to plan. After he'd politely answered the same questions for what seemed to be the umpteenth time, the crowd in front of him broke long enough for him to get a good look at Mina's stall. The world stood still in its orbit. The sun froze in the cold sky. The tide ebbed and never returned. And all Eliot could say was . . . nothing.
A cold sweat soaked his t-shirt, and he stood lifeless for what seemed an eternity. For the first time in his entire life, Eliot didn't know what to do. He just stood there. His mind as frozen as his legs. The same thoughts crowded in like a broken record with a stuck needle. It isn't fair. I worked hard yesterday because the other 'Merry Men' boys said I'd get first shot at what I saw. I helped move that heavy potter's wheel and all this clay stuff. And for what? It isn't fair. I worked hard yesterday because the other 'Merry Men' boys said I'd get first shot at what I saw. I helped move that heavy potter's wheel and all this clay stuff. And for what? It isn't fair . . .
Someone bumped into Eliot, and the pain returned to his benumbed brain. There were the sheep dishes. There was Sioned. And it looked like they were bonding. She's touching my dishes. She's holding my cup. Oh, why didn't I tell Mina yesterday that I'd be back today for the dishes? I wonder if that's in the "rules" for volunteering? Why didn't Harold tell me about that part? Bunty's going to be so disappointed. Well, that's not right . . . she doesn't even know about them. But I know about them. And they should be Bunty's. What am I going to do? What is that that Sioned's saying to Mina? Eliot had never felt so helpless in his life. And Eliot doesn't "do" helpless very well. Poor chappie.
He inched closer to Sioned and Mina in his most nonchalant manner, trying to act like he wasn't looking at anything in particular. His mouth had gone dry, so he had trouble swallowing when he heard what Sioned was saying. "These are beautiful dishes, Mina. I think I have a perfect use for them, too."
With the PA idea out, Eliot made his way slowly, ever so slowly, through the crowd. Ordinarily, he's a very sociable guy and would have loved to stand and chat with every person there. But today was different. He'd worked hard to make this happen, but it wasn't going to plan. After he'd politely answered the same questions for what seemed to be the umpteenth time, the crowd in front of him broke long enough for him to get a good look at Mina's stall. The world stood still in its orbit. The sun froze in the cold sky. The tide ebbed and never returned. And all Eliot could say was . . . nothing.
A cold sweat soaked his t-shirt, and he stood lifeless for what seemed an eternity. For the first time in his entire life, Eliot didn't know what to do. He just stood there. His mind as frozen as his legs. The same thoughts crowded in like a broken record with a stuck needle. It isn't fair. I worked hard yesterday because the other 'Merry Men' boys said I'd get first shot at what I saw. I helped move that heavy potter's wheel and all this clay stuff. And for what? It isn't fair. I worked hard yesterday because the other 'Merry Men' boys said I'd get first shot at what I saw. I helped move that heavy potter's wheel and all this clay stuff. And for what? It isn't fair . . .
Someone bumped into Eliot, and the pain returned to his benumbed brain. There were the sheep dishes. There was Sioned. And it looked like they were bonding. She's touching my dishes. She's holding my cup. Oh, why didn't I tell Mina yesterday that I'd be back today for the dishes? I wonder if that's in the "rules" for volunteering? Why didn't Harold tell me about that part? Bunty's going to be so disappointed. Well, that's not right . . . she doesn't even know about them. But I know about them. And they should be Bunty's. What am I going to do? What is that that Sioned's saying to Mina? Eliot had never felt so helpless in his life. And Eliot doesn't "do" helpless very well. Poor chappie.
He inched closer to Sioned and Mina in his most nonchalant manner, trying to act like he wasn't looking at anything in particular. His mouth had gone dry, so he had trouble swallowing when he heard what Sioned was saying. "These are beautiful dishes, Mina. I think I have a perfect use for them, too."
You're going to have to wait until tomorrow to find out if Sioned and Eliot duke it out, or does one quietly concede to the other? Does Harold sell more necklaces? Does George go home with a sick tummy? More questions tomorrow . . .
(If you would like your dolls to show support for the Longwools, you can send a message through the contact form on this blog to donate $6.00 for a necklace of your own. Color choices vary by availability. All proceeds will go to the Rare Breeds Survival Trust LOVE A LONGWOOL campaign. For real.)
(If you would like your dolls to show support for the Longwools, you can send a message through the contact form on this blog to donate $6.00 for a necklace of your own. Color choices vary by availability. All proceeds will go to the Rare Breeds Survival Trust LOVE A LONGWOOL campaign. For real.)