Page 89 of Eleanor’s Earrings

“No one finds wheels fascinating.”

Rebecca raised her hand.

Lydia sighed. “One person finds wheels fascinating.”

Thomas Reed lifted a finger.

“Two. That does not alter my argument.”

Caroline smiled at Thomas. “You should not have admitted it.”

“I value accuracy.”

“So does Charlotte. It has not made her popular.”

Charlotte looked up from her sewing. “I am extremely popular.”

“With numbers,” Rebecca said.

“Numbers are reliable.”

Lydia clapped her hands. “Stories. Every family must tell one.”

Mr. Daugherty groaned.

Mrs. Bell immediately pointed her walking stick at him. “You first.”

His groan became louder.

The children cheered.

Eleanor sat beside Nathaniel. “This will end badly.”

“Probably.”

“You look pleased.”

“I am not responsible.”

“That is why you are pleased.”

“Exactly.”

Mr. Daugherty stood reluctantly. “I have no story.”

Mrs. Bell said, “A man your age without a story has not been paying attention.”

The camp laughed.

Daugherty frowned. “Fine. When I was sixteen, my brother and I stole our father’s wagon to go to a dance.”

Lydia sat down immediately. “This is already excellent.”

“We did not steal it. We borrowed it.”

Nathaniel murmured to Eleanor, “That distinction appears important to sixteen-year-old boys.”

“Were you ever sixteen?”